The Balearic Islands Health Service has announced the activation of 72 additional hospital beds this week in response to the recent increase in patient admissions. The measure forms part of the Winter Contingency Plan, in place since December to cope with higher demand on emergency departments and primary care services.
The Son Espases University Hospital will provide the largest boost, with a total of 58 beds being brought into service. Twenty-four beds have already been made available —eight in the Post-Intervention Observation Unit and sixteen in other areas— while a further 34 beds are scheduled to open from 12 January at the Verge de la Salut Hospital.
To support this expansion, Son Espases will hire up to 50 additional staff members, including nurses, nursing assistants, orderlies, catering and cleaning staff, and potentially up to three extra doctors if required by the epidemiological situation. Non-urgent and non-oncological surgical activity will also be temporarily suspended to increase bed availability and reduce waiting times for patients awaiting admission.
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Balearic Health Service expands hospital capacity with over 70 additional beds amid rising admissions
Meanwhile, Son Llàtzer University Hospital has activated 14 extra beds, twelve in the Day Hospital Unit and two in intensive care, and will recruit 22 healthcare professionals.
The regional Winter Contingency Plan allows for the activation of up to 215 beds throughout the winter months to manage the seasonal rise in respiratory infections. Measures include speeding up hospital discharges, strengthening diagnostic services, increasing staffing levels during public holidays, expanding home hospitalization, and transferring patients to contracted healthcare centres.
Close coordination between hospitals, primary care services and the SAMU 061 emergency service is also предусмотрed, enabling patient transfers between hospitals when necessary to relieve pressure on specific centres.
Rise in respiratory illnesses among older adults
Although flu incidence has shown a slight decrease in the first week of 2026, health authorities report a notable increase in respiratory infections among people aged over 60. Many patients in this age group have underlying conditions that worsen due to these infections, leading to higher hospital admission rates.
Acute respiratory illness incidence in this population has reached 609.4 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, compared to 493.1 cases in the general population. Flu incidence currently stands at 70.3 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, keeping the Balearic Islands in a low-intensity epidemic phase.