Shortest waiting times in the region
Average wait for ‘ general surgery’ is five days, claims Ribera Salud
TORREVIEJA health department has stated that its hospital has the lowest waiting times for operations in the Valencia region.
The private company Ribera Salud – which operates a concession for the area – released figures showing that patients wait on average for 35 days, while the average in the region is 151 days.
They noted that the next best hospital in the league table – Vinalopó in Elche with 44 days – is also operated by their company.
A spokesman for Ribera Salud claimed that their management has allowed the overall average for the region to be reduced.
He outlined the figures for each department at Torrevieja hospital, stating that ‘ the average wait for general surgery and digestive surgery’ is five days; 17 days for gynaecological surgery; 35 days for urology; 42 days for orthopaedic, traumatology and plastic surgery; and 46 days for ophthalmology.
In Elche’s Vinalopó hospital patients are waiting on average for 44 days for general surgery; 25 days for ophthalmology; 56 days for heart surgery; 57 days for urology; and 59 days for vascular surgery.
Ribera Salud claimed that
the decision by the regional government to take back direct control of Torrevieja health department could lead to waiting times increasing threefold.
The Valencia government confirmed earlier this month that they will not renew the concession granted to Ribera Salud to manage healthcare in the area.
Opponents of private companies operating in the public health system have claimed that Torrevieja healthcare area is understaffed and underfunded.
They noted that some hospital departments are not employing enough specialists, leading to a deficient service for users.
They also stated that the healthcare area – which serves
Torrevieja, Guardamar, Rojales, Pilar de la Horadada, Orihuela Costa, San Fulgencio, Formentera, San Miguel de Salinas and Los Montesinos – has the second lowest number of GPs per SIP card holder in the Valencia region, with ElcheCrevillente ( which is also run by Ribera Salud) in first place.