Spain Approves Comprehensive Plan for Primary and Community Care 2025-2027

In a significant move to enhance the healthcare system in Spain, the Consejo Interterritorial del Sistema Nacional de Salud (CISNS), the Interterritorial Council of the National Health System, has approved the Plan de Acción de Atención Primaria y Comunitaria (Plan of Action for Primary and Community Care) for the period 2025-2027. This plan is designed to strengthen and improve primary and community healthcare services across the country.

Key Objectives and Initiatives

The new plan, approved on December 16, 2024, aims to address several critical aspects of primary and community care. Here are some of the key objectives and initiatives:

• Enhanced Access to Healthcare: The plan focuses on improving access to healthcare services, particularly for vulnerable populations such as the elderly, children, and those with chronic conditions. This includes streamlining appointment processes and reducing waiting times.

• Community Health Integration: There is a strong emphasis on integrating community health services with primary care. This involves enhancing the role of community health workers and promoting preventive care measures.

• Mental Health Support: The plan includes specific measures to bolster mental health services, recognizing the growing need for mental health support. This will involve the deployment of multidisciplinary teams to address mental health issues at the community level.

• Health Promotion and Prevention: A significant component of the plan is dedicated to health promotion and prevention. This includes public health campaigns, educational programs, and initiatives to reduce the burden of chronic diseases.

Implementation and Coordination

The implementation of the plan will be coordinated across various levels of government, including regional health authorities and local healthcare providers. The CISNS will play a central role in overseeing the execution of the plan, ensuring that it aligns with national health policies and objectives.

Reaction and Expectations

Health officials and stakeholders have welcomed the approval of the plan, seeing it as a positive step towards improving the overall healthcare landscape in Spain. The Minister of Health emphasized the importance of this plan in addressing the current challenges faced by the healthcare system and in preparing for future needs.

Additional Context

This initiative is part of a broader effort by the Spanish government to improve healthcare services. Recently, the government also announced plans to issue over 900,000 residency and work permits to migrants by 2027, which is expected to help address labor shortages in the healthcare sector among other areas[2].

For expats living in Spain, this plan promises better access to quality healthcare, which is a significant factor in choosing a place to live. The emphasis on community health and preventive care is particularly beneficial for those who value a holistic approach to health and wellbeing. As the plan rolls out, it will be important to monitor its implementation and the impact it has on the ground.