Public-private collaboration in health in Spain. The case of the Department of Torrevieja

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the funding and movement of patients in the Torrevieja Health Department in Spain. Located in the Valencian Community, this Department is part of a border area with a large influx of foreign tourists, in which the regional government established a public-private partnership (PPP). Information from the concession company’s annual accounts, regional budgets, and applications on public health in the territory was used. The results show, first, a constant increase in public spending, despite not observing a total increase in the evolution of the covered population. This observation contrasts with lower growth in public spending by hospitals with direct management. Second, the analysis of the population of the coastal territory shows a large presence of foreigners and, in summer periods, a greater care burden caused by the movements of the national and foreign populations. The results are intended to be useful for future PPPs in hospitals in border and tourist areas.