The Valencian Health Ministry has increased mental health staffing in the Torrevieja health department by 64% over the past year, a move officials say is already reducing waiting times for care. The Director General for Mental Health and Addictions, Bartolomé Pérez Gálvez, visited Torrevieja Hospital and met teams from Torrevieja, Orihuela and Elche, which form the Alicante South Interdepartmental Health Grouping.

In Torrevieja, psychiatry posts have risen by 63%, the number of psychologists by 50%, and mental health nursing staff by 200%. Pérez Gálvez said the increases exceed cumulative growth over the past two decades and reflect a strategic focus on strengthening services.

Average waiting times for a first psychiatry appointment in Torrevieja have fallen by 40% since June, dropping from 52 days to 31 days in January. Although percentage reductions were higher in Orihuela and Elche, Torrevieja now has the lowest number of patients on the waiting list in absolute terms.

Across the Alicante South grouping as a whole, waiting lists have been reduced by 31.4% since June. The ministry said 88% of patients referred for mental health treatment are now seen within 30 days, which it described as a clear improvement in accessibility and service response.