Tenerife Expands Home-Based Palliative Care Across Entire Island
Tenerife has expanded its home-based palliative care program across the entire island, providing specialized support to nearly 500 patients and reducing the need for hospital transfers.
Tenerife’s public healthcare system has reached a major milestone in how it cares for patients with terminal illnesses. The island’s home-based palliative care program now covers every health zone, ensuring that terminal cancer patients can receive specialized treatment in the comfort of their own homes.
The rollout began in October 2024 in Santiago del Teide and Guía de Isora, eventually expanding to include the island’s metropolitan areas. To meet this long-standing demand, the health service invested in new vehicles, computer equipment, and medical supplies. A dedicated team of seventeen professionals—eight doctors, eight nurses, and one social worker—also underwent specialized training to support the initiative.
Since the program launched, nearly 500 patients have been treated through this model, which includes a 24-hour telephone helpline for clinical advice. The service is designed to act as a bridge between local health centers, emergency services, and major hospitals like the Nuestra Señora de Candelaria and the University Hospital of the Canary Islands. By connecting these services, the system avoids unnecessary hospital transfers and ensures consistent care across the entire island.
Beyond home visits, Tenerife has reorganized its hospital resources to better support palliative care. This includes the opening of a new Palliative Care service at the University Hospital of the Canary Islands in July 2025 and a dedicated unit at the Hospital del Sur. These changes are designed to reduce pressure on main hospitals while bringing specialized care closer to residents in the south.
Looking ahead, health officials plan to expand the program to include patients with advanced chronic conditions who are not cancer patients but still require comprehensive palliative support. This shift marks a new approach to public health, prioritizing the patient’s quality of life and comfort over traditional hospital-based care.