Barcelona, February 2, 2026 – The Catalan Ministry of Health has fined the Hospital de Día CPB in Barcelona €3,006 for “discrimination and denial of treatment” to a patient who had suffered a suicidal crisis. This sanction comes after a psychiatrist allegedly forced the patient to accept sessions in Spanish, despite her explicit request to conduct them entirely in Catalan, as reported by Plataforma per la Llengua.
Health Department Confirms Sanction for Infraction
The Department of Health confirmed to EL PAÍS that a sanction was indeed issued for an infraction. According to a statement released by Plataforma per la Llengua on Monday, the incident dates back to February 2024. The patient was referred to the Hospital de Día, managed by the CPB foundation, for an assessment for admission to a specific care program.
Patient’s Linguistic Request Ignored
From the initial session, the patient requested that individual sessions be conducted entirely in Catalan. While this request was not explicitly rejected, during the first appointment, a nurse addressed her in Spanish and informed her that he “did not feel comfortable speaking Catalan.”
On March 1, the doctor told the patient that she “could not force any professional” to speak in Catalan and asked her to set aside her linguistic preference. The doctor reportedly compared the patient’s request for Catalan-language treatment to not wanting to stop taking drugs or self-harming. Plataforma per la Llengua further states that this decision was reiterated the following week when the psychiatrist told her, “this is not blackmail, but a dose of reality.” A few days later, the patient was again informed that she could not receive treatment in Catalan, and if she disagreed, she could file a complaint, but she would not be referred to another center.
Plataforma per la Llengua expressed regret that the user’s discharge report falsely stated that “the patient decided not to start treatment at our center.”
Investigation and Complaints Lead to Sanction
The victim initially complained to the foundation, requesting an investigation and a referral to another center they operated in Barcelona. However, the entity denied the allegations, prompting the patient to contact Plataforma per la Llengua. The platform then filed a second complaint with the Catalan Ministry of Health.
The organization also criticized the fact that, despite the patient eventually being redirected to another center, the medical director and another doctor reportedly “scolded” her for having recorded the conversations. Furthermore, Plataforma per la Llengua highlighted that after the discharge, CPB included the user’s linguistic request under the “Current Illness” section, which is meant to describe the clinical symptoms of each patient.
CPB Pays Fine, Victim Seeks Further Compensation
Following the complaint filed by Plataforma per la Llengua, the Directorate General for Health Planning and Regulation imposed a €3,006 fine on CPB. The foundation ultimately paid the fine, although they unsuccessfully attempted to appeal the decision, arguing that “not all facts and damages had been considered” and that the administrative action was insufficient.
Now, the victim, with legal advice from Plataforma per la Llengua, is demanding that the Catalan health service acknowledge its patrimonial responsibility derived from the functioning of the public health service, which she considers “direct.” She is seeking €30,000 in compensation. Additionally, she has requested that the Col·legi de Metges de Barcelona (Barcelona Medical Association) intervene in the case to determine responsibilities.
This case highlights ongoing tensions regarding language rights in Catalonia, particularly within public services. The incident underscores the importance of ensuring that patients receive care in their preferred official language, especially in vulnerable situations.
