Hospital waiting times drop across the Canary Islands
The Canary Islands have achieved their best surgical waiting list figures in a decade, with waiting times now below the national average. New measures, including sending some patients to private clinics, are credited with helping to ease pressure on the public health system.
According to the latest figures presented by the regional health authorities, there are currently 31,879 people on the surgical waiting list in the Canary Islands, with an average delay of 109 days.
This represents a reduction of 44 days over the past two years and places the islands below the Spanish national average of 126 days.
Role of private clinics
Health councillor Esther Monzón and the director of the Canary Health Service (SCS), Adassat Goya, explained that alongside increased surgical activity in public hospitals, some patients are being referred to private hospitals and clinics.
Until now, these referrals were mainly for diagnostic tests and surgical procedures, but they are now being extended to outpatient consultations, traditionally one of the hardest lists to reduce.
Around 30% of surgical procedures are already carried out through agreements with private clinics, mainly radiology and diagnostic services, with patients not required to pay. The health service is also developing a platform that will connect patient medical records between public hospitals and private centres to ensure continuity of care.
Demand keeps rising
Despite the progress, demand continues to grow due to population increases and an ageing population. Some consultations have already been referred to private centres in areas such as mental health and trauma care, depending on local needs and availability.
Between January and June this year, SCS hospitals carried out 76,832 surgical procedures, an 8% rise compared to the end of 2024. The number of diagnostic tests also rose by 2.1%, reaching 471,180 in the first half of 2025.
Specialties and waiting times
Of the 27 medical specialties in the Canaries, 17 have shown a downward trend in waiting times, including rehabilitation, traumatology, ophthalmology, ENT, and dermatology, which have historically been among the longest waits.
Another highlight is the significant reduction in patients waiting more than six months for surgery, down by 24% in the first half of the year and almost 42% over the past two years, dropping from 9,457 to 5,493 patients.
Best figures in 10 years
Authorities stress that this is the best performance in surgical waiting lists in a decade. Monzón added that careful planning, maximum use of operating theatres, and constant evaluation of activity are behind the improvements.
While outpatient consultations remain the most challenging area, both surgical waiting times and diagnostic test delays are now on a downward trend, offering renewed optimism for patients across the Canary Islands.
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