DÉNIA HOSPITAL BUY-BACK TALKS BEGIN

TALKS are under way to return Dénia hospital into public hands, eight years after it was privatised.

Although the contract with Marina Salud is not due to expire until the year 2023, regional health minister Carmen Monzón wants to lay the foundations for the buy-back six years in advance.

She has been negotiating with the hospital's main shareholder, German health insurance company DKV.

The other shareholder is Ribera Salud, which manages the privately-run public hospital in Alzira (Valencia province).

This, too, is due to be bought back by the regional government in the next few years.

Sra Monzón says her team is 'examining various methods' of a buy-back, but that there was 'no chance' of breaking the contract with Marina Salud as it would cost millions in 'divorce' settlements.

The Marina Alta district health service, which includes GP clinics serving all 33 towns as well as the hospital, has been the subject of complaints since it was privatised.

Many believe Dénia's to be one of the bestfunctioning hospitals in the region, with relatively short waiting lists and modern treatment and diagnostic techniques – but others have complained of understaffing and nine-hour waits in A&E.

A campaign has been running since 2009 for the regional health authority to reclaim it.

Sra Monzón was not prepared to reveal details of the negotiations, but says they are 'going well' and she is 'optimistic'.