The Balearic Islands Health Service plans to deploy 215 extra beds across public hospitals during the winter months to handle the increased pressure on emergency departments caused by seasonal respiratory infections.
These actions are included in the Winter Contingency Plan, designed to coordinate hospitals, primary care centres and SAMU 061 to ensure maximum care capacity during periods of high demand.
The distribution of the additional beds will be:
- Son Espases University Hospital: 70 beds
- Son Llàtzer University Hospital: 57 beds
- Manacor Hospital: 9 beds
- Mateu Orfila Hospital: 20 beds
- Can Misses Hospital: 19 beds
- Sant Joan de Déu Hospital (public network): 40 extra beds
Opening these beds will require the hiring of healthcare professionals from various categories, including doctors, nurses, nursing assistants, and support staff.
TDB keeps you informed. Follow us on: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
In primary care, Mallorca’s management will strengthen home care services with a SUAP emergency team operating from Friday afternoon until Monday morning, consisting of a doctor, a nurse, and a driver.
The contingency plan also includes speeding up hospital discharges, increasing staff, reinforcing diagnostic services, expanding on-call teams during holidays, reducing scheduled procedures to free up beds, promoting home hospitalisation, and transferring patients between hospitals when necessary.
Health authorities expect a rise in respiratory viruses—such as influenza and RSV—in the coming weeks due to seasonal factors.
Public recommendations
The Health Service highlights the need to:
- Get vaccinated to prevent severe complications.
- Use a face mask when symptomatic.
- Practice frequent hand hygiene.
- Limit contact with vulnerable individuals.
For mild symptoms, people are encouraged to visit primary care emergency departments, which are well equipped to manage these cases. Hospital referral will only be made when complications are expected.