Town hall discussions in Sant Joan d’Alacant have highlighted the urgent need for the local health center to restore its Continuous Point of Care service, a program that was discontinued in 2000. Four years into the current council term, Julia Parra, a member of the Health Council, labeled the delay as shameful and partisan, noting that the council chairperson had pledged a pre-campaign gesture for the municipality. The community has long pressed for the reintroduction of PAC at its health center, viewing urgent care access as a core resident priority.
Parra argues that the delay goes beyond bureaucratic procrastination and represents a strategic choice that could push residents toward using a nearby hospital emergency department, even for conditions that could be managed at the health center. She calls for a faster negotiation pace and a clear commitment to reestablishing PAC, aiming to cut unnecessary hospital visits and ease the strain on hospital resources during peak periods.
Parra states, I am the same person who joined the County Council, and the shift occurred with Ciudadanos. The political switch, she notes, has changed how healthcare is discussed locally, suggesting that partisan messaging shapes public conversations about health policy. Her objective remains consistent: secure practical, patient-centered improvements for residents of Sant Joan and neighboring communities.
She also references Esther Donate, a Socialist councilor, who recalls that the PAC was requested under the previous health leadership from 2015 to 2019. Donate contends that the community point of care was never treated as a priority and urges the current administration to revisit this stance with a concrete plan and timeline.
online meeting
In an online briefing, the Undersecretary of Health noted several requests to the Ministry of Health. Officials indicated that the PAC could not be restored due to the hospital’s proximity and the existing healthcare network, prompting further discussion about strategic options, funding, and balancing local needs with regional health planning.
Advocates maintain that keeping a robust PAC near the community hub would shorten response times for common ailments and reduce crowding at the hospital. The hospital serves a large catchment area that includes Sant Joan and hundreds of thousands of residents, and advocates stress that emergency care should be accessible without defaulting to the emergency department for minor issues.
As discussions continue, Parra emphasizes the importance of health system resilience. She notes that public health depends on timely access to primary and urgent care that aligns with residents’ everyday needs. The debate raises broader questions about resource allocation, the role of PAC, and how local authorities can push for patient-centered solutions within the existing regional health structure.
Public health experts observe that when a hospital serves a wide population, it becomes essential to distinguish between levels of care. A well-resourced PAC can handle many non-critical emergencies, triage efficiently, and provide timely interventions that prevent escalation. The conversation in Sant Joan mirrors policy discussions in other municipalities seeking to optimize emergency readiness while maintaining strong links to community health services.
As the talks unfold, residents watch for a concrete plan, a funding pathway, and a realistic timetable to restore the PAC at their health center. The outcome will shape how local officials balance hospital capacity with the needs of neighborhoods that rely on nearby clinics for urgent but non-life-threatening care. The overarching aim remains clear: ensure residents have swift and appropriate access to healthcare close to home, without unnecessary delays or bureaucratic hurdles.