Menorca hospital faces rising medical waiting lists

The Mateu Orfila Hospital in Menorca is facing significant increases in medical waiting lists for outpatient consultations and major surgeries. As of September 18, over 8,600 patients are waiting for an initial specialist visit, with nearly 4,000 having waited more than two months.

Endocrinology and nutrition services have seen a sharp rise in delays, with the number of patients waiting more than 60 days doubling in the last four months. The average wait time for this specialty has reached 100.44 days. Other heavily pressured departments include ophthalmology, rehabilitation, orthopedics, and neurology.

Additionally, the surgical waiting list includes 1,881 patients. Delays in surgical procedures have remained largely stagnant following several medical strikes held earlier this year.

In a separate development for regional healthcare, Menorca is set to implement its first home hospitalization unit. Scheduled to begin operations in the first quarter of 2027, the service will initially provide 12 beds to allow patients to receive care in their own homes.