Electronic prescriptions to be introduced this year

Budget of 67.2 million euros for Menorca´s health service

Presentation. Jaume Orfila, Juan Dominguez and Claudio Triay with the details

The 11.1 million euro investment planned for the island is equivalent to 129 euros per head of the population, the highest amount in the Balearic Islands

C.M.W..Maó

The Regional Department of Health has calculated the needs of the island´s health service this year at 67.2 million euros, which is an increase of 4.9% on 2006´s budget. Last Friday the co-ordinator of Menorca´s Health Service, Jaume Orfila, the Balearic Government´s Delegate to the island, Juan Domínguez, and the head of IB-Salut in Menorca and the Verge del Toro Hospital, Claudio Triay, presented the forecasted expediture which includes a total of 11.1 million euros in investments, this sum representing 26% of the total budget for investments in the Balearic Islands´ health service for the year. It equates to 129 euros per capita in Menorca, the highest amount in the Balearics, as the investment per inhabitant in Mallorca is 31 euros and in Ibiza and Formentera, 67 euros.

One of the most important investments this year is the 3.8 million euros set aside to cover the cost of equipping the new Mateu Orfila Hospital which is to be inaugurated during the first quarter of this year. A further sum of 5 million euros has been earmarked for investment in new information technology which includes the setting up of the electronic prescription system. Other projects to benefit will be the Canal Salat Health Centre in Ciutadella, on which 800,000 euros will be spent, and Es Castell´s Medical Centre which will cost 3.4 million euros.

Maó is to be provided with a second Medical Centre in the hospital´s annexe and, during the year, work will start on converting the Verge del Toro Hospital for public health use.

Other objectives for this year include bringing staffing levels up to scratch and providing new services.