Dr. Javier Palau has been appointed as the new managing director of the Denia Health Department, which since August 2021 is managed entirely by the Ribera healthcare group. The new head of the Department begins to perform his duties from this Monday, January 10.
Javier Palau has extensive healthcare and management experience. Doctor of Medicine from the University of Valencia, he has developed a large part of his professional career at the La Fe University Hospital in Valencia where he has worked as assistant physician of the Hematology Service, deputy medical director and coordinator of the functional plan of the new hospital, and as director doctor. Since 2016 he has been linked to the Ribera health group in different positions of responsibility, as manager of the La Ribera Health Department, and in recent years as corporate director of Projects. To his medical training, Javier Palau adds his aspect as a clinical researcher in Hematology; he has collaborated on clinical trials, epidemiology studies, and is co-author of more than 40 publications. Likewise, Dr. Palau has a Master's Degree in Medical Management and Clinical Management and a Master's Degree in Business Administration.
Javier Palau has stated that he feels “very excited about joining this project that I know closely”. Doctor Palau highlighted his confidence in the "magnificent team of professionals that the Denia Health Department has, and that together with the responsible health model of the Ribera group, will continue to make this hospital and its care network a benchmark for excellence for the citizens of the region”.
The Denia Health Department and the Ribera health group have wanted to thank and acknowledge the work of Luis Carretero, managing director of the center since 2017 and have wished him luck in his new professional stage.
Balance 2021 Department of Health of Denia
The Dénia Hospital has closed the 2021 financial year with an average surgical delay of 54,08 days and a rate of CMA -Major Ambulatory Surgery- of 65%. In addition, over the past year 11.000 surgeries have been performed, 10% more than in 2020, with prioritization of care for COVID patients during the three peaks of care pressure that have marked the activity of the year. In this sense, it should be remembered that the center hospitalized more than 780 patients with COVID, of whom 10% had to receive intensive care.
Regarding the activity of External Consultations, more than 355.000 consultations were attended, with an average delay of 20 days in the first visits and 60 in the successive ones. On the other hand, waiting times for diagnostic tests have been 32 days for Imaging Diagnosis and 60 for Digestive Endoscopy, Interventional Radiology and the Pain Unit.
During 2021, the activity in Oncological Surgery and the prevention plans for Breast and Colon Cancer have been maintained, in collaboration with Public Health of Dénia, and with the coordination of Primary Care professionals and the hospital.
Other important milestones of the year have been the incorporation of Neurosurgery to the portfolio of services, and the obtaining of two TOP 20 awards in global hospital management and in the Nervous System area.
