PALMA
ARRANGEMENTS have been finalised for 400 patients to be transferred from the old University Hospital of Son Dureta to the new general hospital of Son Espases in Palma, the Balearic Health ministry confirmed yesterday.
A meeting was held yesterday between government representatives, senior administration and medical staff, and hospital workers to tie up remaining loose ends and to make sure there will be no last-minute hitches for this first major transfer.
Also attending were members of the Guardia Civil Traffic department, ambulance services and Local Police to decide on the most efficient way of transporting the patients. The operation will take place in two stages: the maternity-infant unit and the psychiatry departments will be moved on Saturday, 18th December. Numbers of patients being moved on the first day will total less than 150.
But the following day, 250 patients from the general hospital section of Son Dureta will be taken over a number of shifts in 50 ambulances, 5 of which will be fitted with life support systems for patients currently in intensive care. The shifts, will start at 8am and conclude twelve hours later, with a rota system designed for an ambulance to leave Son Dureta with live cargo every three minutes.