Crisis in medical appointments in the Balearic Islands: System overload and complaints over the new Espai Salut app

Have you tried to make an appointment with the Balearic Islands’ public health system lately? Well, I’m sure you’ve experienced this: the app doesn’t respond, you call and no one answers, or you’re left staring at an error screen. The culprit is called 'Espai Salut,' the new system that’s been up and running for three weeks and is already causing headaches.

The staff at InfoSalut, who handle the appointments, say that it used to take about 50 seconds to schedule an appointment. Now, it takes almost twice as long. The new platform, they say, is a mess: it asks for a Cl@ve or an electronic ID, steps that not everyone has or knows how to use. “I’ve never received so many complaints,” says one operator. And that’s even though she herself, with a Cl@ve and an electronic ID, couldn’t register.

From management, Miguel Ángel Benito, deputy director of Digital Transformation at IB-Salut, argues that 'Espai Salut' is just another tool. He says they’re maintaining all three channels—in-person, phone, and digital—and that phone lines aren’t being eliminated. He acknowledges that the app is still evolving and that there is an adjustment period. But the operators don’t see it that way: staffing has been cut, the service has slowed down, and they fear they’ll end up fielding all the calls—which is the only option for the elderly or those who aren’t comfortable with the internet.

If you’re a foreigner with valid documents, this affects you: a glitch with your medical appointment could delay reports or certificates. So don’t rely solely on the app. Call by phone (971... or 012) or stop by your health center. If you use 'Espai Salut,' have your Cl@ve or DNIe handy. And if something goes wrong, keep trying through other channels. Digital bureaucracy is unforgiving.

Comments on social media are scathing: “I’ve called three times to make an appointment and they haven’t called me back,” “it’s a disaster for an elderly person.” The sense of chaos is real. While IB-Salut promises improvements, workers report that the app isn’t working and complaints are piling up.

If you’re having trouble with your appointment or paperwork, message us on Telegram: https://t.me/cita_extranjeria