Chile expands senior and palliative care in Río Negro, San Fernando

A multidisciplinary health operation was carried out by Hospital Río Negro and the Osorno Health Service to bring specialist geriatric assessments to older adults in the urban sector of Río Negro. The first phase took place on 17 and 24 June, involving doctor‑geriatric, psychologist, family physicians, kinesiology and occupational therapy teams, and served about 50 seniors with more than 100 consultations. The initiative partnered with local organisations such as the Lions Club, the municipal government and the Union of Older Adults, and a second rural phase is planned for August.

In the O’Higgins region, the Hospital San Fernando inaugurated a new palliative‑care waiting area funded by the regional FNDR 8 % allocation and co‑financed by the hospital. The 30 million‑peso project, the first of its kind awarded to a public hospital nationwide, provides ergonomic seating, climate control and accessible design to improve comfort for patients and families facing terminal or chronic illnesses. Regional health officials and local representatives attended the ceremony, highlighting the effort to humanise end‑of‑life care.