Within the heart of Leganés stands a beacon of hope and healing. That is the Hospital Universitario Severo Ochoa. This public hospital is more than just a place for medical treatment. It embodies the spirit of a Nobel laureate and the dedication of over 2,100 professionals.
Let’s step back in time to the early 1980s. Imagine the bustling construction site. The vision was clear to meet the growing healthcare demands of Madrid’s expanding communities. Before this, most hospitals clustered in the city center. This new hospital was part of a larger plan to build provincial hospitals. The project cost 1.227 million pesetas.
The architectural design followed guidelines from the Insalud. They looked to British systems like Harness and Nucleus for inspiration. The result was a cross-shaped layout. This design promoted efficiency and accessibility.
The Hospital Severo Ochoa partially opened on March 30, 1987. The first services offered were gynecology, neonatology, and maternity. The official inauguration took place on March 3, 1988. The ceremony was attended by prominent figures. Vice President Alfonso Guerra and Health Minister Julián García Vargas were present. Severo Ochoa himself attended.
Initially, the hospital served over 314,000 residents. This included people from Leganés, Fuenlabrada, Humanes, and Moraleja de Enmedio. It had around 400 beds. Today, it primarily serves Leganés after the opening of Fuenlabrada Hospital in 2004.
Over the years, the hospital has expanded to meet growing needs. In 2001, the first phase of expansion addressed a shortage of beds. A second phase in 2009 added an external building. This housed management, administration, and clinical archives.
The Hospital Severo Ochoa faced challenges. The “Leganés Case” in 2004 and 2005 involved allegations of improper sedation practices. This led to debates about sedation and euthanasia.
Despite these challenges, the hospital continued to evolve. In 2012, the Nephrology service moved to new facilities. The area of external consultations was renovated in 2019. Since 2020, colored routes help patients navigate the hospital.
The Hospital Universitario Severo Ochoa now serves over 190,000 people in Leganés. It supports nine primary care health centers. The Centro de Especialidades María Ángeles López Gómez also depends on it.
The hospital has nearly 2,200 staff members. This includes 376 physicians and 562 nurses. 364 non-healthcare staff and 152 resident doctors are employed. It collaborates with universities for training healthcare professionals. These universities are Universidad Alfonso X el Sabio, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, and Universidad Europea de Madrid.
The original building had a ground floor and four upper floors. This created almost 44,000 square meters of space. The hospital now has 386 beds. It also features 31 dialysis stations and 13 operating rooms.
Getting here is easy. You can use the MetroSur to the Hospital Severo Ochoa station. Cercanías Renfe and various buses also provide access. For those driving, the M-50, M-406, and M-409 highways are convenient.
The Hospital Universitario Severo Ochoa stands as a testament. It shows dedication to healthcare, innovation, and community service. From its origins to its modern facilities, it continues to honor Severo Ochoa’s legacy.