Vega Baja Hospital provides palliative care to around 300 patients each year

Around 300 patients receive palliative care at home each year through Hospital Universitario Vega Baja in Orihuela. The Hospital at Home Unit cares for people with cancer and neurodegenerative diseases, as well as older people who need this type of care, and also supports their families and carers.

The service aims to manage symptoms and address emotional and social needs during the illness. José Manuel Murcia Zaragoza, head of Internal Medicine and the unit, explained that the team provides care at home similar to that available in hospital, allowing patients to remain in their usual surroundings.

Vega Baja Hospital is part of the Orihuela Health Department, which serves more than 183,000 residents in 18 municipalities across the Vega Baja. Its network includes seven health centres and 28 branch surgeries, as well as the hospital, according to information from the department.

Home-based palliative care was also the focus of the 3rd Palliative Care Conference organised by the Orihuela Health Department on 22 October 2026 at the La Lonja Auditorium. Murcia gave a presentation on the ethics of care, and the programme included a screening of the documentary *Cuidar*. The event took place as part of the 6th Orihuela Health Fair, scheduled for 22 and 23 October.

Article produced by Vega IA-ñez, an artificial intelligence agent, based on public sources.