The Junta de Andalucía is promoting the Sócrates Unit in Málaga, a unit of the Adscrita Police Force focused on preventing and acting against aggressions towards public healthcare professionals. The acting Minister of Health, Presidency, and Emergencies, Antonio Sanz, announced this measure after the Regional Coordination Board of the Adscrita Police, highlighting that the incorporation of 186 new officers since last June 1st will allow for a progressive increase in personnel dedicated to this service.
The main objective of this initiative is to "take care of those who take care of us," according to Sanz. The Sócrates Unit aims not only to reduce aggressions against healthcare staff but also to increase the sense of security in hospitals and health centers, as well as improve coordination with the Servicio Andaluz de Salud and other security forces.
The unit operates through risk analysis to identify centers with the highest incidence of conflicts, prioritizing the preventive presence of Adscrita Police patrols. It also maintains constant contact with health managers and security services to detect potential risk situations. Its functions include incident tracking, gathering information on aggressions, supporting affected professionals, and collaborating in filing complaints.
The incorporation of the new officers represents a reinforcement "that had not been done for 13 years" and will allow for an improvement in the preventive capacity of the unit throughout Andalucía.
Since its implementation, the Sócrates Unit has conducted 694 interviews with directors and managers of health centers and 304 contacts with security guards, in addition to activating preventive actions. The Junta argues that this strategy promotes "zero tolerance" towards aggressions against healthcare professionals through prevention, institutional coordination, and increased police presence in the most conflict-prone areas.
