Andorra Approves CHA Regulation Update Eliminating Assistant Directors

The Andorran government has approved the latest amendment to the Centre Hospitalari Andorrà (CHA) regulations, eliminating the role of assistant clinical directors and updating selection committee rules to match the current collective bargaining agreement. Published this morning in the Butlletí Oficial del Principat d'Andorra (BOPA), the decree—proposed by the Servei Andorrà d’Atenció Sanitària (SAAS) board—takes effect tomorrow.

The changes remove article 13 entirely, which had allowed clinical management up to six assistant directors. None are currently in place, but three were previously appointed at a monthly cost of around €2,000 each, adjusted to current rates. Officials determined these positions were unnecessary for routine operations, as they had evolved into advisory roles while retaining full salaries. In some cases, they addressed specific personal needs, prompting criticism over potential cronyism. Future targeted advice will rely on short-term contracts instead.

Article 29, governing selection committees for filling vacancies, has been fully revised. Committees will now consist of a president with tie-breaking authority, a non-voting secretary, and at least one vocal. Specific makeup will follow the SAAS collective bargaining agreement in force at the time. Members from the Consell de Metges serving as vocals must prove at least three years of professional experience at the SAAS and will rotate every two years. Since the 2022 agreement, the works council has proposed tailored committees for each vacancy, replacing the CHA's prior fixed model. The updated text uses a generic reference to allow this flexibility.

This marks the fifth revision to the 2016 regulations, following updates in 2017, 2019, 2022, and earlier this year, to reflect evolving organizational and care needs.