Health Minister Monica Garcia announces reform in Primary Care
In the recent Interterritorial Council, Health Minister Monica Garcia revealed plans for a reform in Primary Care that will involve a range of measures and co-responsibilities among different professions and specialties. This is aimed at lightening the workload and reducing bureaucratic processes and an oriented triage before patients reach the doctor. The reform also seeks to increase prescription capabilities and the management of Primary Care centers.
María José Gamero, a member of the Spanish Society of Primary Care Physicians (Semergen), expressed support for the plan, emphasizing the need to reduce bureaucratization and offload the primary care doctor through the distribution of tasks among the team of professionals. This change would be welcomed by Semergen.
The General Nursing Council of Spain (CGE) also supports the reform, with President Florentino Pérez Raya advocating for joint work in favor of the patient through multidisciplinary teams. Raya indicated that nurses are perfectly trained to process sick leave and can lead health processes, but must not be overloaded with bureaucratic tasks.
The reform also includes an increase in the prescription capabilities and the management of primary care centers by nurses, as well as a focus on health promotion and disease prevention. This shift is seen as crucial for addressing the current demands in the health system.
Pilar Rodríguez Ledo, president of the Spanish Society of General and Family Physicians (SEMG), emphasized the importance of maintaining competencies described in the official program for Family Medicine, while also acknowledging the sharing of competencies with other specialties. Ledo highlighted the need to eliminate tasks that do not add value, such as excessive bureaucracy.
The proposed reform in Primary Care has generated discussions among different healthcare professionals, with various organizations expressing their views on the potential changes. It remains to be seen how the reform will be implemented and its impact on the delivery of primary healthcare services.