Andorra's Albó Centre Logs 124 Serious Incidents in 3.5 Years

Andorra's Albó Centre has recorded 124 serious incidents over the past three years and a half, including 58 heteroaggressions, 27 self-harm cases and 39 episodes of material damage, government figures show.

The data, detailed in a written response from Social Affairs Minister Trini Marín to Andorra Endavant councillor Noemí Amador, cover the period from 2023 to mid-2026. Serious incidents are defined as those needing emergency services, hospital admission or strong containment measures like physical or pharmacological intervention, leading to physical harm to residents or staff, or property damage. All cases were managed under internal protocols prioritising safety for residents, workers and the environment, drawing on person-centred care and positive behavioural support models for handling behavioural crises, psychiatric episodes and risks.

The figures break down as 42 incidents in 2023, 30 in 2024, 39 in 2025 and 13 up to May 2026. As of 15 May 2026, the Fundació Privada Nostra Senyora de Meritxell-managed centre served 44 residents, mostly with intellectual disabilities or neurodevelopmental disorders: 36% without comorbidities, 25% with mental health issues but no behavioural changes, 18% with associated behavioural challenges, 18% with physical conditions and 2% with mental disorders alone. Officials stressed that 80% of residents show no behavioural disorder profile.

Staffing includes 35 direct care workers—16 auxiliars, six monitors, two educators, one psychologist and five nurses with 24-hour coverage through SAAS health service ties—plus coordinators, a lead doctor, a psychiatrist and round-the-clock security. Night shifts have three auxiliars, one nurse and one guard for the 44 residents, surpassing the current framework agreement ratio. Recent upgrades over five years added a night-shift auxiliar, individual support for complex cases and full-time security to match shifting resident needs. Weekday, weekend and holiday on-call guards are also available.

No internal reports indicate staffing shortages or care pressures, with ratios checked via regular quality audits and inspections, though exceptional cases can prompt extra supports. Over three and a half years, 40 staff left—57.5% voluntarily, the rest through retirement, contract ends, leaves or dismissals—while 11 workplace accidents accounted for 27.5% of temporary incapacity notifications.

Two complaints have been logged. An anonymous one in August 2025 flagged thermal discomfort, auxiliar shortages and staff insecurity from potential assaults. Inspection confirmed no staffing breaches, validated safety protocols, training, individual behaviour plans and 24-hour monitoring, noting only dining room air conditioning as a pending fix in the improvement plan. A second complaint on 2 June 2026, filed with the Social and Sociosanitary Inspection Service, cited staff safety gaps and management of challenging resident behaviours. Authorities are evaluating it alongside the centre.

Marín noted resources match technical needs assessments, with family surveys averaging 8.3 out of 10 satisfaction and 90.5% recommending the service.