The Minister of Health, Marciano Gómez, has visited Dénia Hospital to highlight a major investment of more than 3.5 million euro by the Ministry of Health to upgrade technological equipment in the hospital’s Radiodiagnosis Service.
During his visit, where he was accompanied by the manager of the Dénia health department, Juan Puig, and the general director of Hospital Care, Ana Teijelo, the regional minister explained that the service now boasts two new Computed Axial Tomography (CAT) scanners, a new magnetic resonance imaging machine, a densitometer and a digital orthopantomograph. He stated that this significant boost in technological equipment will greatly enhance the healthcare capacity of the service.
The minister added that the investment represents a qualitative leap forward in healthcare by expanding the range of services available, improving diagnostic accuracy and optimising response times.
The new MRI scanner is the second to be installed at the healthcare centre and will directly improve access to the service, allowing a higher volume of studies to be completed more quickly. Furthermore, the new CT scanners provide higher-resolution images with lower radiation exposure, improving both patient safety and test quality.
Diagnostic capabilities for pathologies linked to bone mineral density have also been enhanced by the dual-energy technology of the new densitometer. Meanwhile, the digital orthopantomograph expands the scope of oral cavity studies by providing high-quality panoramic images to assist specialists.
Infrastructure improvements
Alongside the medical equipment, the Regional Ministry of Health has spent an additional 800,000 euro on infrastructure to adapt the facilities to the technical requirements of the new machinery. This work included upgrades to electrical installations, insulation systems and structural reinforcements, alongside specific measures designed to guarantee radiological safety for both patients and staff.
The Minister of Health praised the funding and stressed the importance of continually modernising healthcare services, while thanking the professionals who helped adapt and implement the new equipment. He noted that the renovation demonstrates the Consell’s commitment to the continuous improvement of Valencian public healthcare, ensuring access to cutting-edge technologies across all health departments.
The project forms part of a wider technological upgrade plan promoted by the Valencian Ministry of Health across hospitals in the Valencian Community, aiming to modernise infrastructure and guarantee excellent care.
Staffing and hard-to-staff areas
Addressing staffing levels, the regional minister noted that solving the shortage of professionals in the Dénia health department was a main priority. To tackle this, the region was declared a hard-to-staff area to offer incentives and attract more workers.
He explained that 143 positions for the Dénia health department have been included in a call for applications for hard-to-fill roles. This selection process is being managed by the Regional Ministry through a merit-based competition without a competitive examination, which encourages more applications and helps ensure positions are successfully filled. The minister added that La Pedrera hospital has also been declared a difficult staffing area to help bring in new professionals.
New SAMU base opens
The Minister of Health also visited the new base for the Emergency Medical Assistance Service (SAMU), located within the grounds of Dénia Hospital. Set up by the Emergency Health Service of the Valencian Community (SESCV), the facility is designed to improve operational efficiency and emergency response times.
The new base covers more than 100 square metres across two floors. The ground floor features an entrance area, lounge, kitchenette, study, restroom and storage room. The first floor contains three individual rest areas and a full bathroom to support staff well-being during on-call shifts.
