Evolución de los servicios sanitarios básicos en el área metropolitana de Valencia (2011-2018)

Abstract

The accessibility of the population, especially the most vulnerable, to health services is one of the basic criteria for assessing their quality. The number of Health Centres in the metropolitan area of Valencia has changed slightly over the last decade, becoming, in principle, more equitable from a spatial point of view. At present, Health Centres have become places for both early detection and follow-up of Covid-19 cases, as well as for vaccination. The aim of this study is to assess the recent evolution of the territorial structure of Health Centres in the metropolitan area of Valencia, showing special interest in the accessibility conditions of the over-65 age group, in order to detect priority areas that require a reinforcement of the health provision in the current context of health crisis. The results suggest that, although the general situation has improved, the most vulnerable group is in worse conditions due to the accumulation of claimants and because the distance between their homes and the health centre has improved less than that of the general population.