Investigation Opens After Alleged Sexual Assault at Barcelona Care Facility
Earlier this weekend, a staff member at Nou Hospital Evangèlic (Nhe), a sociosanitary center in Barcelona, was detained by the Mossos d’Esquadra on suspicion of a sexual assault against a patient undergoing convalescence. The victim reportedly shared the events with a family member, who then approached Catalan police to file a formal complaint.
According to confirmation from El Periódico de Catalunya, a member of the Prensa Ibérica group, the individual is described as a 26-year-old auxiliary nursing technician with no known criminal record. He had been employed at the Gràcia neighborhood facility since 2019. The arrest occurred around 2:00 a.m. on the transition from Friday to Saturday. He was taken to police premises and released without charges on the following Saturday, while the case remains under the jurisdiction of the investigatory court.
Representatives of Nou Hospital Evangèlic corroborated the arrest and highlighted the center’s rapid activation of its internal crisis protocol. They stated that psychological support was offered to both the patient and her family through the hospital’s staff, and strict measures were taken to ensure the accused staff member could not interact with the patient while the incident is investigated. The facility noted that it provided information to the Mossos d’Esquadra, including patient and staff details such as the floors where each party had been. Despite these steps, the center acknowledged it cannot explain how or when the assault could have occurred. A review of the medical records indicated that the standard care procedures had been followed, with the patient requiring assistance for mobility and hygiene tasks performed by two professionals. In other words, there is no documented moment when the patient was alone with the worker in question.
The patient remains hospitalized at Nou Hospital Evangèlic in Gràcia, continuing her rehabilitation process. Hospital representatives said that to avoid interfering with the investigation, authorities advised against discussing the case publicly with the patient. The accused worker has been removed from duty and will not return to work until the investigation is complete, officials stated.
The center, founded in 1879, faces a pivotal period as it prepares for a major relocation. The historic home on Camèlies Street will be vacated after Easter, and a new 2,700-patient capacity complex in Poblenou is slated to begin operations in April. The move is expected to bolster care for patients with complex chronic conditions, neurodegenerative needs, and advanced rehabilitation demands, complementing the nearby Hospital del Mar and Hospital Sant Pau in serving the wider community.
Authorities continue to investigate the case, gathering all relevant evidence and reviewing care protocols to ensure patient safety and accountability within the facility. The hospital emphasizes its commitment to patient welfare and transparent cooperation with law enforcement as this matter progresses.
Citations: Police records and hospital statements pertaining to the incident and subsequent actions. Additional context from local reporting on institutional response and facility relocation plans.