Lleida's Arnau de Vilanova hospital will divert between 60 and 70 operations each week to the Santa Maria hospital and Mi NovAliança clinic, both in Lleida, starting in May. This move is necessary due to a new phase of expansion work on the hospital's surgical block, which will affect services until late 2028.
The diverted operations represent about half of the 136 procedures the Arnau de Vilanova typically handles weekly. The expansion aims to increase the number of operating theatres from 14 to 24. New theatres will open progressively as they become available to avoid longer waiting lists, according to Rosa M. Pérez, the Health delegate.
The most significant impact on services is expected between August 2027 and February 2028. Complex surgeries, such as oncological, robotic, urgent, paediatric, and spinal procedures, will continue at Arnau de Vilanova. Births will also still take place there.
Operations Distributed Across Lleida
Santa Maria hospital will receive less complex inpatient surgeries, including gynaecology, urology, otorhinolaryngology, traumatology, and digestive system surgery. Mi NovAliança, a private clinic integrated into the public healthcare system (Siscat), will handle outpatient ophthalmology procedures, such as cataract operations, and general surgeries that do not require hospital admission.
Núria Nadal, director of Arnau de Vilanova, stated that each patient will receive personalised communication detailing where their procedure will be performed. Health officials confirmed that patients will keep their original medical teams, with Arnau de Vilanova professionals travelling to the centres where operations are diverted. Pérez assured that patients' needs will be met, and follow-up care at their reference hospital is guaranteed.
To coordinate this activity, a 'unified surgical board' has been established. Pérez explained that its goal is for citizens not to notice any change in their care, beyond a change of location within the public health system. Nadal added that the planning followed clear clinical protocols and criteria, developed in agreement with all professionals and services. She acknowledged the coordination challenge but said it is being managed with governance tools by all parties.
Surgical Block Expansion Details
The expansion of the Arnau de Vilanova surgical block will nearly double its current 14 operating theatres to 24. The project, which started in 2021, has focused on the structure and steel floor slabs. Work on the interiors will begin next month, requiring a reduction in hospital activity.
The new operating theatres will feature advanced technology, allowing the hospital to perform some complex procedures currently sent to Barcelona. Additionally, the patient reception, post-operative recovery, and resuscitation areas will be renovated.
The construction costs total €26.7 million, funded by Infraestructures de la Generalitat. An additional €17.4 million will be invested in equipment, financed by CatSalut. The expansion is located east of the main building's central nave, between the two wings of patient rooms.
This project aims to modernise and expand surgical capacity in Lleida, with new facilities opening progressively until the full completion of works by the end of 2028. The coordination efforts will continue to manage patient care during this period.
