The delay for an intervention is below 90 days, far from the 150 that the regional decree marks as a maximum, according to the Ministry of Health
The wait to undergo surgery in public hospitals in the Region of Murcia stands at 88.5 days in November, which is 12.2 days less than in the same month of 2020 and a reduction of 12% or days waiting in this period. Compared to the previous month, the improvement in November is 9.8 days, according to sources from the regional government in a statement.
The Minister of Health, Juan José Pedreño, highlighted during the presentation of the waiting list data of the Murcian Health Service (SMS) that «times are improving in general terms despite the situation of strong pressure that he has suffered and continues to suffer our healthcare system ». “To obtain figures like these, the effort of professionals has been enormous and constant over time, a circumstance that we cannot fail to be grateful for,” Pedreño added.
The counselor stressed that the surgical delay is below 90 days, far removed from the 150 days established as the maximum term by Regional Decree 25/2006, which regulates the time of access to the benefits of the public health system of the Region. of Murcia.
Of the 14 surgical specialties, 9 are treated in a period of less than 90 days. Waiting times were reduced in all of them, except gynecology and otorhinolaryngology, with slight increases in global terms of 16 and 5 days respectively in relation to November 2020.
Regarding external consultations, the average waiting time is 83 days, compared to 102 in November of last year, which translates into 19 days less to be attended. Of the 32 specialties subject to follow-up, 21 show a delay time of less than 50 days, which is 70%, according to the same sources.
In 20 specialties, the wait decreases compared to November 2020, among which Angiology stands out, with 20 days less; Maxillofacial Surgery, with 78 days less; Thoracic Surgery, 64 days less; Nephrology, 36 days less, and Oncology, which drops 5 days and places the average delay for consultation in this specialty at 12 days.
Regarding diagnostic techniques, the average wait is 25 days. In this case, of the 19 techniques, 12 have a delay time of less than 30 days. Compared to October, the average waiting time remains stable. The average delay remains unchanged with respect to 2020 and stands at 25 days, that is, below the maximum 30-day waiting period indicated in regional regulations.
Regarding the delay in the main processes, there was an average decrease in time of 11 days compared to October. The average wait in the main processes is reduced by 13 days compared to November 2020 and there are decreases in the most common ones such as cataracts, cholelithiasis, varicose veins or hip or knee prostheses.
Regarding the analysis by hospital centers, all of them decreased times on the surgical waiting list, and in diagnostic techniques the delay also remained stable. In the main processes, a reduction in the average waiting time is also seen in the hospitals of the Region, and the surgical list in all hospitals shows decreases in waiting periods compared to November 2020.
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