Andalusia Primary Healthcare Structure and Patient Rights

1. Basic Health Zones (ZBS)

There are two types of ZBS: urban and rural areas. In urban areas, each city is a ZBS, and within each, there are several Health Centers (CS). In rural areas, many people are part of a ZBS; one individual hosts the health center, known as Module II, while Module I serves as a local office.

2. Definitions Under the Andalusia Health Act

The framework for planning and developing health policies must provide the funding and equipment necessary for primary and specialized care, ensuring continuity of care and accessibility for all users.

3. APS District (Decree 197/2007)

These are the organizational structures for operational planning, management, and administration in the field of Primary Care (AP). Their functions include:

• Organization of care activities
• Health promotion and disease prevention
• Recovery of health
• Environmental and food risk management
• Education, teaching, and research

4. ZBS Territorial Framework

According to the Andalusian Health Act, the ZBS is the territorial framework for the provision of basic primary health care, offering direct access to the population with the capacity to provide ongoing, integral, permanent, and accessible support.

5. Primary Health Care Center

Defined by Decree 197/2007, this is the physical structure where professionals perform comprehensive, citizen-oriented primary health care, serving as the primary reference point for public health services.

6. Clinical Management Units

Clinical units function similarly to a core Primary Care team but possess greater financial management capacity. They are responsible for health planning and funding. Some basic primary health care units have transitioned into clinical management, allowing for self-management of personnel and resources.

7. Free Choice of Healthcare

Patients in Andalusia have the following rights regarding the choice of provider:

• General Practitioner: Available provided the quota is free and within the same CS district.
• Pediatrician: Available within your district, provided the quota is free.
• Medical Specialist: Subject to specific regulations.
• Hospital: You may choose a hospital outside of your district.

Note: In Andalusia, there is a free choice of family doctor, though the entire family must belong to the same practitioner. In cases of emergency, hospital choice is restricted. Currently, there is no free choice of nursing, and the implementation of sectorization remains a complex challenge.