Expansion of hospital services in Vega Baja bolsters healthcare sector
Hospital Vega Baja Expansion: A €70 Million Project Set to Boost Healthcare in Orihuela
The Hospital Vega Baja in Orihuela is in the final phase of a significant expansion, with construction having commenced in March 2023. This project, led by the consortium of Grupo Hospiten and Grupo San Juan, is expected to enhance healthcare services in the region, serving a protected population of over 180,000 residents.
Upon completion, the hospital's capacity will rise to a maximum of 372 hospitalisation beds, an increase of 40%. This expansion includes the addition of outpatient services, specialist clinics, new operating theatres, and strengthened critical-care provision. The enlargement will also address a long-standing demand, with roots in public mobilisation in the 1980s, including a general strike in Orihuela in 1986.
The expansion project is not just about increasing capacity. It aims to improve service quality, provide more functional spaces for patients and staff, and widen the range of care available within the comarca. The hospital will have an additional 14,696 square metres of space, bringing the total built area to over 50,000 square metres.
In addition to the hospital expansion, local and regional authorities are planning improvements around the hospital to enhance access and mobility. This includes reordering vehicular access, creating new parking areas, and park-and-ride sites. The authorities are coordinating the completion of building works with necessary upgrades to roads, parking, and emergency resilience so the expanded hospital can open with safe and efficient access for those it serves.
One of the key features of the expansion is the construction of a stormwater retention basin and related drainage works. The budget for this project is estimated at €1.3 million. This is part of a basic flood-defence and drainage plan, designed to prevent a repeat of the extreme rains of September 2019, when the hospital was cut off, with parts of the ground floor and some operating theatres inundated.
The regional government started expropriations in May, affecting five plots totalling 15,915 square metres, primarily lemon groves, for the construction of the stormwater retention basin. Supporters of the expansion claim it honours the civic legacy of the original hospital's establishment.
The expansion has received additional funding, with an additional €8 million authorized by the Generalitat Valenciana in 2024. This funding will contribute to the provision of specialties such as cardiology and neurology, further enhancing the hospital's capabilities.
The Hospital Vega Baja expansion is a testament to the commitment of local and regional authorities to improve healthcare services in Orihuela and surrounding towns. As construction progresses, the community looks forward to the benefits this expansion will bring.
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