Inside the makeshift rest room for on-call healthcare staff at Acequión health center in Torrevieja
- Video footage shows a rest room for on-call sanitary staff at the Acequión primary care center in Torrevieja that has been set up in an office (“despacho”).
- The improvised space raises questions about comfort, privacy and suitability for staff who must rest between emergency shifts.
- No official statements were included in the original footage; the report highlights the need for appropriate facilities for on-call healthcare workers.
- Key areas for improvement: dedicated rest area, privacy measures, proper beds or reclining chairs, ventilation and cleanliness protocols.
Introductory: A video published by Información reveals the temporary rest room used by on-call medical staff at the Acequión health center in Torrevieja. The footage shows a council office adapted as a “sala de descanso” for healthcare personnel attending urgent duty. The scene has rekindled discussion about the working conditions and basic rest facilities provided to on-call clinical teams in primary care centers.
What the video shows
- The space used as the rest room is an ordinary office (despacho) inside the Acequión health center.
- It appears to be a multipurpose room adapted to offer a place to sit or lie down between on-call duties.
- The footage was published by local outlet Información and is being shared as part of coverage on local health services.
Why this matters: rest facilities and patient safety
Adequate rest areas for on-call healthcare staff are more then a comfort issue – they affect professional performance and patient safety. When clinicians have insufficient spaces to recuperate during long shifts, risks increase due to fatigue and reduced alertness. A suitable “sala de descanso” should offer privacy, the ability to sleep or rest comfortably, and basic amenities (clean linens, ventilation, sanitary facilities).
Key concerns raised by an office converted into a rest room
- Privacy: Offices are not always designed to be private sleeping quarters.
- Comfort: Lack of proper reclining chairs or beds reduces recovery quality during short breaks.
- Hygiene and infection control: Clinical rest areas should follow cleanliness and separation rules from clinical materials.
- Appropriateness: Offices may lack the layout or equipment to support on-call requirements (noise control, dimmable lighting).
Simple improvements that health centers can implement
- Designate a fixed room for on-call staff rest with clear signage to ensure privacy and quiet hours.
- Equip the room with recliners or simple beds, blackout curtains, and clean bedding rotation.
- Install basic amenities: lockable storage, small fridge, microwave, and a hand-washing station or hand sanitizer.
- Ensure regular cleaning and ventilation, and separate the rest room from clinical storage and patient flow.
- Establish policies for maximum rest duration, rotation and notification procedures to respect both staff needs and emergency coverage.
Quick reference table: Current setup vs.Recommended setup
| Feature | Observed (office converted) | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| Privacy | Limited | Lockable room,soundproofing |
| Resting furniture | Office chairs / improvised | Recliners or simple beds |
| Hygiene | Unknown routine | Regular cleaning,linens,ventilation |
Voices and next steps
The original video does not include official statements from the Conselleria de Sanidad or the Torrevieja health center governance. Moving forward, public health authorities and the center’s management may be asked to clarify whether the room is a temporary measure and what plans exist to provide permanent, appropriate rest facilities for on-call staff.
what residents and patients should know
- Services at the Acequión health center continue, but on-call staff use an adapted office for resting between urgent calls.
- Questions about staff working conditions can be raised with local health authorities or through patient service channels.
- Community interest can encourage investment in better facilities that protect both staff wellbeing and patient care quality.
Conclusion
A vídeo from Información has brought attention to a simple but important issue: the rest conditions of on-call healthcare workers in Torrevieja’s Acequión health center. While converting an office into a rest room may be an immediate solution, longer-term, dedicated facilities that ensure privacy, rest quality and hygiene would better support clinicians and the safety of the patients they serve.
sources and credits
- Información – Video and report on the rest room at Acequión health center, Torrevieja: https://www.informacion.es/videos/vega-baja/2025/09/20/sala-descanso-sanitarios-guardia-centro-centro-de-salud-acequion-torrevieja-medicos-video-121780434.html