Spain's waiting lists: minister fears reform will fail
Spain’s waiting-list figures could show the full wait from a patient’s first primary care visit to treatment or an operation: Health Minister Mónica García wants that journey counted, but expects Spain’s regional governments to reject her plan. The regions are due to consider it at the National Health System’s Interterritorial Council on Friday, 23 October. García made her prediction on 15 October at a health event organised by news website elDiario.es.
García says the wait does not begin only when a surgeon tells a patient they need an operation. Her proposal would make it possible to follow the time from the first consultation through to treatment or surgery.
She blames political and party interests for the resistance she expects. Rather than use waiting lists to manage care, she says, regional governments turn them into a political contest over whose figures look shortest. The council’s decision is still to come.
Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com