The Health Minister, Esther Monzón, announced on Tuesday at the Canaries Parliament the plan to improve services at the Northern Hospital. Short-term plans include the tender for the renovation of the sterilization centre, laboratory, blood bank, and oncology day hospital for chemotherapy treatment. It was detailed that having these services will allow for a gradual increase in the complexity and number of surgeries in the two operating rooms – open every morning – and will improve support for the Emergency Services. The number of specialists will increase, leading to more consultations and improved management of referrals. Additionally, Health plans to introduce MRI services and expand treatments at the day hospital.
The list of measures includes home hospitalization (HADO) and an increase in the number of physiotherapists available at health centres in the north of the island. This service extends hospital admission to the home so that the patient continues to receive care at home under the daily supervision of hospital staff, catering to patients most suitable for home treatment.
The Minister pointed out that these coordinated care initiatives between Primary Care Management and the University Hospital of the Canaries, as a reference centre, aim to widen access to healthcare services for the population in the north of Tenerife.
In this regard, an increase in consultations is expected at the Specialised Care Centres (CAE) in both Puerto de la Cruz and La Orotava, with the possibility of extending services into the evening. Furthermore, solutions are being implemented to address pathologies with agreed protocols that will be an addition to the Primary Care project, +AP.
Regarding Emergency Services, ultrasound equipment is being provided to the Continuous Care Points at health centres, and Family Medicine professionals are being trained to use it. Efforts are also being made to set up immediate on-site testing facilities for analyses at Continuous Care Points and Emergency Services.
