The Canarian Health Service (SCS) reaffirms its commitment to care excellence, comfort, and dignity for patients with advanced chronic illnesses and at the end of life, as well as support for their families. During 2025 and the first half of 2026, Hospital Palliative Care Units, implemented on all islands, and Primary Care services have handled a total of 77,664 consultations. This figure reflects the work of Canarian health professionals in universalizing comprehensive care covering physical, emotional, social, and spiritual aspects.
In this period, 5,627 individuals received palliative care during their hospital stay, including Home Hospitalization (HADO). The Canarian model builds upon the Canarian Palliative Care Strategy (2018-2021), which organized resources and extended palliative culture beyond oncology. It now converges with the newly launched National Health System (SNS) Palliative Care Strategy 2026-2030, introducing a paradigm shift focused on early diagnosis and advanced screening tools.
Canarias is actively implementing these aspects. All islands have units and services assisting adults and pediatric patients, such as the Home Palliative Care program from the Primary Care Management of Tenerife, pediatric programs at the University Hospital Materno Infantil de Canarias in Gran Canaria, and the model from the Primary Care Management of Gran Canaria for end-of-life care.
The Pediatric Home Care program from the Primary Care Management of Tenerife received a silver award in the Strategy for Addressing Chronicity category at the National Health System Good Practices Call (2025-2026 edition) by the Ministry of Health. The initiative, named Pediatric Home Care for patients with complex chronic diseases and palliative needs from Primary Care (ADPAP), brings specialized care to the home, improving the quality of life for minors and their families.
The Department of Health and the SCS express gratitude for the dedication and professionalism of the multidisciplinary teams in the palliative care network in Canarias, reiterating that caring for people until the last moment is an undeniable indicator of societal quality and well-being.
