Summary
- Torrevieja will soon have two urgent care points (PACs) to improve healthcare accessibility.
- A new PAC opens at El Acequión health center starting the first week of August 2024.
- This aims to reduce overcrowding at the existing PAC in La Loma and the hospital emergency department.
- The El Acequión PAC will operate afternoons and nights on weekdays, and 24/7 on weekends and holidays.
- This strategic expansion addresses the population growth in Torrevieja and enhances emergency care efficiency.
Torrevieja Expands Extrahospital Urgent care: New PAC at El Acequión Opens in August
The Valencian Conselleria de sanidad has announced the inauguration of a new Punto de Atención Continuada (PAC) at the El Acequión health center in Torrevieja, set to begin operating during the first week of August 2024. This addition will complement the already existing PAC service at the La Loma health center and represents a critical step towards easing pressure on the local healthcare system.
Why Does Torrevieja Need a Second PAC?
Torrevieja’s population growth in recent years has significantly increased the demand for healthcare services, especially urgent care outside of regular hours. Until now, only the La Loma health center offered continuous urgent care (PAC) services within the municipality, sometimes attending up to 340 patients daily – causing long wait times and high patient volumes.
The new PAC at El Acequión aims to balance this demand and provide faster, more efficient healthcare responses by:
- Reducing patient congestion at La loma’s PAC
- Alleviating pressure on Torrevieja’s hospital emergency services
- Extending urgent care availability in different areas of the city
Operating Hours and Locations
El Acequión’s PAC will operate during the following hours:
- Monday to Friday: 3:00 PM to 8:00 AM the next day
- Weekends and holidays: 24 hours continuous service
Currently, the Torrevieja basic health zone includes five centers:
| Health Center | PAC Status |
|---|---|
| La Loma | Continuous care (existing) |
| El Acequión | New PAC starting August 2024 |
| La Mata | No PAC |
| Patricio Pérez | No PAC |
| San Luis | No PAC |
Benefits of the New PAC in Torrevieja
- Improved patient distribution: Spreading urgent care across two PACs reduces wait times and overcrowding.
- Increased healthcare accessibility: Residents can access urgent care closer to where they live.
- Enhanced hospital relief: Reducing unnecessary emergency hospital visits allows better focus on critical cases.
- Alignment with population needs: Adaptability to the city’s growing population ensures the healthcare system remains effective.
Looking Ahead
The Conselleria de Sanidad reinforces that this expansion is a key step toward reorganizing urgent health care provision in Torrevieja.By activating two PACs, the city can deliver faster, more balanced, and higher quality urgent care services to its residents.
The regional health department continues monitoring patient flows and service efficiency, promising further updates as the system adjusts to this upgrade.
For more information, visit the official proclamation by El Español.
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