News about the health centre

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The health centre in Benitachell is part of the Teulada Moraira Benitachell primary care system. Since approximately 2008 there have been two GPs based in Benitachell. Dr Regulo Lorente recently retired and has been replaced with Dra Katrina Carrillo. Over the years the second doctor has changed on an irregular basis and for most of the time that doctor has spoken some English. The situation at the moment is much more confusing. There is no second doctor appointed to Benitachell but a temporary doctor (effectively a locum) appears from time to time and is seeing patients. Others are allocated to Dr Katrina while it appears that another group of patients has had their appointments cancelled. Apparently there are insufficient doctors to fill all positions and a new one is not expected in Benitachell  until September. I have received many worried messages from neighbours across Benitachell and I have written to the Benitachell councillor responsible for health and social services issues, Isabel Garrido, with a summary of these worries. Isabel is working on the problem now. How much she can do I am not sure but rest assured she is aware of the implications of the situation. 

It is also apparent that communication between Denia Hospital and the health centre in Benitachell is not functioning. Many of you are not getting the results of tests and scans and are having to wait months for appointments with appropriate consultants. I have asked for a meeting with Isabel at the end of next week. 

Going to the Emergency department at Denia hospital leads to other problems. The Doctors' Union has said that the Emergency services face a critical situation and it will get worse through the summer. 'The staff there should have 28 doctors, but currently only 14 remain." Certainly doctors are in short supply. Why? is another question. 

Totally coincidentally I have been nominated to serve on three committees. Two are health related and one is to do with the provision of quality of life for the elderly. This is a considerable responsibility and I thank the Town Hall for having confidence in me and, what's more, confidence in my castellano! I will keep all informed through this Colloquia newsletter.