The Regional Secretary for Health announced today that the Regional Network of Mental Health Continuing Care, "a structure organised into units and multidisciplinary teams, will be implemented in 2016".

"This is a much needed reform in this area that will bring the treatment of this disease to society by creating the conditions to reduce hospitalisation and expanding outpatient treatments," said Luís Cabral. The government official spoke at the Legislative Assembly during the proposed Regional Plan and Budget for 2016.

The Regional Network of Mental Health Continuing Care aims to promote the integration of mental health care into the regional health system, whether in terms of primary care or in terms of hospital care, in order to reduce the institutionalisation of patients.

In 2016, the Government will present a draft Regional Legislative Decree to formalise the creation of this network in the Azores and implement the Home Care Teams of the Mental Health Care Integrated Network, through a pilot project that will be carried out on the island of S. Miguel in January.

In his speech, the Regional Secretary for Health mentioned various investments, particularly those related to the equipment of health units, the support provided to this area and the organisation of actions planned under the Regional Health Plan.

In the area of Civil Protection, according to Luis Cabral, the support will be primarily directed to the provision of equipment and communications, "a financial effort over one million Euros."

On the occasion, the Regional Secretary presented statistical data showing the conditions created during this legislative period for the sustainability of the Regional Health Service.

"In 2012, 329,253 medical consultations were carried out in our health centres. As of October this year, the number of consultation had already reached a total of 336,147. With about 30,000 consultations per month, we have achieved a growth of 20% over this legislative period," said the government official.

Luís Cabral added that there were 151 general practitioners in 2012 and now there are 165 specialists in this area in the Region," which means that more than 26,500 Azoreans had access to a general practitioner."

"In 2012, 253,529 consultations were carried out in hospitals. In the first half of 2015, a total of 154 551 consultations were carried out, that is, a 22% growth compared to 2012, thus ensuring a significant reduction in waiting lists," added the Regional Secretary.