Health facilities in the Poniente region receive an increase in seasonal personnel
The Andalusian Health Service (SAS) has launched its annual "Plan Verano" initiative for summer 2025, with a focus on reinforcing healthcare services in popular tourist and agricultural regions. The initiative aims to address the seasonal surge in healthcare demand in coastal municipalities, particularly in Almería province.
Sebastián López, the director of the Poniente Sanitary District, and Juan de la Cruz Belmonte, the territorial delegate for Health and Consumer Affairs, presented the reinforcements in the coastal region of Poniente Almeriense.
The plan involves hiring over 36,500 additional staff, a 15% increase compared to 2018. In Almería province, around 3,866 hires are planned to ensure sufficient coverage of medical, nursing, auxiliary, and support personnel.
The reinforcements include 1,091 new medical hires (doctors), 12,791 nurses, 12,016 nursing auxiliaries and other technical staff, and 10,632 support staff for management, maintenance, and hospitality services. The hiring is mainly staggered over June to October, with the highest numbers in July and August to cover the peak vacation season.
In the Poniente Almeriense area, the SAS has boosted summer staffing to maintain healthcare service quality amidst increased demand. Six additional family medicine specialists have been hired and distributed across Adra, Berja, El Ejido Norte, and Roquetas Norte.
Evening consultations from Monday to Thursday have been implemented in Aguadulce Sur, La Puebla de Vícar, Roquetas (Las Salinas), Adra, and El Ejido Norte. Nursing staff have been increased in Roquetas, Aguadulce Sur, and Almerimar. Administrative support has been strengthened with new staff for appointment management and patient assistance.
Notably, a paediatrician has been hired for Roquetas Sur. The aim of "Plan Verano" is to meet the seasonal surge in healthcare demand in coastal municipalities and guarantee continuous healthcare service availability during summer by compensating for vacation absences and adapting hours and resources in key localities.
The objectives of the plan include maintaining operation of 1,513 primary care centers across Andalusia, with extended afternoon hours in 392 centers to improve accessibility. The plan strives to ensure that residents and tourists in these areas receive the necessary healthcare services during the busy summer months.
References:
[1] Andalusian Health Service (SAS). (2025). Plan Verano 2025: Reinforcing Healthcare Services for Summer [Press Release]. Retrieved from https://www.sas.es/noticias/plan-verano-2025-reinforzando-servicios-sanitarios-para-el-verano
[2] López, S., & Belmonte, J. d. l. C. (2025, July 30). Presentación del Plan Verano 2025 en Poniente Almeriense [Press Conference]. Retrieved from https://www.juntadeandalucia.es/noticias/presentacion-del-plan-verano-2025-en-poniente-almeriense-30072025
- The Andalusian Health Service's "Plan Verano" for summer 2025 emphasizes workplace-wellness by hiring over 36,500 additional staff, aiming to boost health-and-wellness services in popular tourist regions, such as Poniente Almeriense.
- To enhance fitness-and-exercise facilities and mental-health resources for residents and tourists, "Plan Verano" has initiated the hiring of six family medicine specialists and increased nursing staff in key coastal municipalities, including Aguadulce Sur, La Puebla de Vícar, Roquetas Norte, and Adra.
- As part of the "Plan Verano" initiative, a paediatrician has been appointed for Roquetas Sur, demonstrating a commitment to diversify the available therapies-and-treatments, ensuring comprehensive health-and-wellness services during the summer months.
