Spain outage sparks huge healthcare service disruption in areas loved by Brits

Telefonica is one of Spain's major communication providers. (Image: Getty)

The communication outage that struck Spain in the early hours of Tuesday had a ripple effect on healthcare services in a key area of the country. SAS (Andalusian Health Service) centres were unable to operate as normal on May 20 in Andalusia, the seaside region of southern Spain, loved by British tourists and expats

Issues across Spain began early on Tuesday for many Telefonica users after the major telecom provider experienced problems while running a network update. The outage affected landlines and internet communications.

Among the issues reported by SAS users, which contracts Telefonica, have been delays piling up as the centres' workers were unable to use landlines and the internet to access the system.

Local news outlet El Correo de Andalucia reported delays of "up to an hour" due to the system's inability to function.

Centres' users trying to book in-person appointments also experienced issues, as SAS workers could not schedule them. However, patients were able to book appointments via the Clic Salud app or its website.

Issues across Spain began early on Tuesday for many Telefonica users after the major telecom provider experienced problems while running a network update. The outage affected landlines and internet communications.

Among the issues reported by SAS users, which contracts Telefonica, have been delays piling up as the centres' workers were unable to use landlines and the internet to access the system.

Local news outlet El Correo de Andalucia reported delays of "up to an hour" due to the system's inability to function.

Centres' users trying to book in-person appointments also experienced issues, as SAS workers could not schedule them. However, patients were able to book appointments via the Clic Salud app or its website.