Of the 920 vacancies, 450 are for medical specialists. Credit: fizkes / Shutterstock.com
The Valencian regional health department has taken a major step to tackle staff shortages across the Costa Blanca, approving a new initiative to bring 920 healthcare professionals to Denia and other areas traditionally considered difficult to staff.
The move comes with the launch of the first merit-based recruitment competition for specialist posts within the Valencian Health System. Departments included in the scheme extend beyond Denia to Vinaròs, Requena, Elda, Orihuela, Torrevieja and Ontinyent. The proposal was welcomed by trade union representatives from SATSE and CESMCV-SAE, who together represent the majority of specialist healthcare professionals in the region.
Ensuring healthcare for all residents in the Costa Blanca
Regional Health Minister Marciano Gómez said the scheme was designed to guarantee healthcare access for all residents, no matter where they live. He emphasised that the initiative would allow patients to receive treatment locally, without the need to travel to other hospitals or health centres.
For the first time, the selection process will be based on merit, aiming to fill urgent vacancies in a fast and stable manner. The focus is on recruiting experienced, qualified professionals who can enhance patient care and strengthen the overall standard of healthcare in the region. Special consideration will be given to previous experience and professional achievements, particularly in posts that demand advanced technical skills.
A wide range of new healthcare roles available
Of the 920 vacancies, 450 are for medical specialists, covering a wide array of disciplines, from cardiology and dermatology to surgery, intensive care, oncology, paediatrics, radiology, urology and many more. The remaining positions include 186 posts in Family and Community Medicine, several roles in Family Planning and Addiction centres, hospital emergency units, home hospitalisation teams, and specialist nursing positions in areas such as obstetrics, gynaecology and mental health.
How to apply
The official call for applications will be published next week in the Diari Oficial de la Generalitat Valenciana (DOGV). From that moment, interested candidates will be able to apply online for the posts they wish to compete for. Applications will be assessed on professional experience, current service in hard-to-staff areas, specialist training and knowledge of Valencian and other European languages.
Strengthening healthcare for the future
With this initiative, the Conselleria de Sanidad hopes to ensure that even the most remote areas of the Valencian Community are staffed with highly skilled professionals, securing quality care for patients and reinforcing the region’s healthcare system for the future.