Galicia announces 320 million euro primary care reform plan

The Xunta de Galicia has presented a reform plan for primary and community healthcare spanning 2026 to 2030, backed by a 320 million euro investment. During a parliamentary appearance, Health Minister Antonio Gómez Caamaño detailed that the 2027 budgets will increase primary care investment by 6.1% to 1,854 million euros.

The plan aims to create 644 structural positions across 16 professional categories. For 2027, the first 136 positions are scheduled, including 39 in family and community medicine and 8 in clinical psychology. The reform seeks to reduce bureaucratic burdens, optimize medical schedules, and improve working conditions and remuneration.

A key component is the reorganization of medical agendas. For family doctors, a 420-minute workday will be structured to include 300 minutes of direct patient care, such as 20 demand-based consultations, 90 minutes for scheduled appointments (chronic care or minor surgeries), and 10 minutes for prescriptions. The remaining time is allocated to 100 minutes for training and research and 20 minutes for rest. To manage excess demand, the government will implement voluntary, paid extraordinary schedules.

Additionally, 278 million euros are earmarked for infrastructure, equipment, and technology. While the government moves forward with the plan, opposition members have questioned if the number of new positions is sufficient to address existing access issues in the region.