January surgical waiting list times reduced

THE OVERALL average wait for surgery at public hospitals in the Valencia region has been reduced by 39 days compared to January 2021.

Hence, the average delay to undergo surgery was 103 days in January, compared to 142 days in January 2021. In December, there was a 100-day average wait, but in January it usually rises due to a backlog from the Christmas holidays.

Furthermore, there were 5,338 fewer people on the waiting list than in January last year.

The decrease has occurred in practically all the health deerations partment areas. Specifically, it is more noticeable in the Castellón health department (down 102 days compared to 2021), Vinaròs (down 97 days), Castellón provincial hospital (88 days), Valencia general hospital (68 days), Sagunto hospital (60 days) and the Arnau-Llíria department (54 days).

In terms of specific conditions, there has also been a year-on-year improvement in surgical waiting times. In this sense, the delay has been reduced for adenotonsillectomy by 120 days, knee replacements by 69 days, bunions by 54 days and phimosis by 51 days.

The number of pending ophas decreased significantly in some specialities. For example, in January there were 1,002 fewer cataract operations pending compared to January 2021, and 494 fewer pending knee replacements than in January 2021.

The number of health and non-health personnel who on a voluntary and paid basis extend their working shifts to carry out surgical activities has also risen, from 1,703 in December to 1,819 in January.

The surgical waiting list in no circumstances affects urgent, oncological and non-delayable operations, which have priority.