Why Home-Based Palliative Care Should Take Priority

The Health Minister of the Canary Islands Government, Esther Monzón, personally listened to the demands of the community group led by Vanesa Díaz, a resident of Cabo Blanco. Díaz is calling for the establishment of a palliative care unit at the Hospital del Sur in Arona and various measures to enhance end-of-life care for patients residing outside the metropolitan area. The only facility offering this service on the island is currently located at the hospital of Arona in Ofra.
While awaiting details of the operational plan set to be unveiled “towards the end of March or start of April,” outlining the phases and new services to be integrated into the expansion of Hospital del Sur, Vanesa Díaz and group representatives highlighted the urgent need to initiate a dedicated palliative care programme within Primary Care. This approach aims to mirror the care provided for conditions like diabetes and hypertension.
Díaz explained to the press that this tailored palliative care programme within Primary Care, inclusive of training for general practitioners, forms a key part of the immediate solution. The programme would specify patient caseloads for doctors, consider deploying home care support teams for in-home medical services, and establish a 24-hour helpline. These initiatives would pivot the family doctor to the forefront of care coordination, fostering closer relationships between healthcare providers and patients and their families.
“We made it clear to the Health Minister that actionable steps can be taken now, with minimal investment and without hinging on the setup of a facility in the South,” emphasized the community representative, commending the Health Department’s receptiveness and empathy. “He fully comprehends the challenges faced by families supporting palliative care patients,” Díaz stressed. Following the release of the operational plan, she will reconvene with Esther Monzón and her team to discuss further urgent interventions required.
In response, the Health Minister expressed a commitment to establishing a comprehensive palliative care network during this term in office.