The professional body, representing physicians, issued a statement expressing its worry about the current state of the Geriatrics Service at the Hospital Insular de Lanzarote and doubts surrounding its future. This statement follows the announcement of the closure of a significant portion of the hospital for a renovation that is yet to be defined.
While the College understands the difficulties arising from the current condition of healthcare infrastructure and the necessity for provisional solutions due to technical reasons, it deems it essential that any interim measure be accompanied by a clear commitment, a solid plan, and sufficient resources. The objective is to guarantee the continuity of the care and teaching model established in Lanzarote.
It is highlighted that the geriatric care provided on the island serves as an example of good practice, offering specialized, comprehensive, and tailored responses to the needs of the elderly, with more coordinated, humane, and person-centered attention.
Furthermore, it is emphasized that the Geriatrics Service at the Hospital Insular de Lanzarote is not merely a healthcare resource but also a teaching and organizational benchmark for the Canary Islands. Its history in training specialists and its accreditation as a Multiprofessional Teaching Unit for Geriatrics necessitate that any relocation preserves its care, training, and multidisciplinary work capacity. It is expected that the new facilities at the Hospital Doctor José Molina Orosa will meet these requirements.
In a context of progressive aging and increasing chronic conditions, the Medical College stresses that Canarias needs to strengthen, not weaken, its specialized geriatric resources. Therefore, they believe any temporary reorganization must prevent a provisional solution from leading to a loss of capacity, resources, or quality of care for the elderly patients of Lanzarote.
The professional corporation also wishes to express its recognition to the professionals who have driven and sustained this project over the years, emphasizing that their experience must be considered in the future planning of the service.
Finally, the Colegio de Médicos de Las Palmas calls upon health administrations to promote a definitive solution, with adequate spaces, sufficient resources, and medium to long-term planning. It concludes that Lanzarote has demonstrated that this model works, and now it is crucial to ensure that any change preserves its care, teaching, and organizational conditions.
It is worth noting that a demonstration is scheduled for Saturday morning in Arrecife to demand the continued operation of the Hospital Insular. The march will depart at 11:00 AM from the Islas Canarias park.
