The reduction of time -consuming waiting in regular surgeries of YOUis high on the priorities of health authorities.
Intervention with afternoon surgeries that began to be implemented in the NHS since 2023 has already been in its third and more decisive phase, as patients are free not only in the afternoons in public hospitals, but also in affiliated private clinics, at the expense of the state.
The bet is by the end of 2025, not to wait more than four months for surgery. However, the list today exceeds the 105.000 incidents, without counting on these oncology and urgency, which are served in shorter times. The 70% In cases, however, it relates to routine procedures such as: waterfall, arthroplasty, umbilical cords and cholecystectomies.
Over 10,000 interventions
The beginning was in March 2024, with the launch of the afternoon surgery in public hospitals – initially with payment and then with free interventions, with the contribution of the recovery fund funds.
To date they have almost been carried out 10,000 interventions in totalwhich is a major progress, taking into account the structural shortages of the system, especially in the region. Specifically, we are talking about shortages of anesthesiologists, nurses and specialized doctors.
According to official figures, in 2024 a total of 478,000 surgeries were performed – 4% more than 2023. In the first quarter of 2025 the increase continued, with 136,000 operations (+7% compared to last year).
Free Surgery in the afternoon
So far, 5.577 Interventions They have been held in the NHS in the afternoon at no cost for the patient, of which 1,500 took place in the last two months of 2024. The rest, in 2025.
These interventions have been the occasion of temporarily stopped by paid surgeries, at least for as long as this procedure lasts.
Most of the free interventions are performed in about 65 by the 130 Public Hospitals of the country. The ministry’s goal is by the end of 2025 to have been made in total 37,500 free afternoon surgeries.
The most common surgeries include:
General Surgery Interventions (25%).
Obtraneal (22%).
Orthopedic (21%).
Otolaryngological (9%).
Vascular surgery (6%)
While the rest 16% It concerns interventions in specialties such as urology, gynecology, neurosurgery, jaw surgery and others.
Afternoon surgeries: individuals in the battle of listing the list
The third phase of the plan, that is, surgeries in private clinics, has been activated since the beginning of May.
Now, patients on the NHS single list receive a message on their mobile if they have exceeded four months of waiting to choose free surgery in a private clinic.
Already over 100 people have been operated on and 7,000 additional operations have been scheduled.
The process is simple: via SMS, the citizen is informed and guided at epemvaseis.gov.gr, where he finds the next step.
However, NHS doctors are still opposed to the institution. OENGE (Federation of Hospital Doctors ‘Associations) denounces doctors’ transfers to hospitals, while EINAP (Athens Hospitals Association) calls for 100 inactive surgical rooms in Attica to open.
At the same time, health professionals participating in the afternoon programs are complaining about delays in their payments. Therefore, the image, although improved, is far from being described as “satisfactory”.
As Deputy Minister of Health Marios Themistokleous said: “The picture is improved, but not satisfactory. Our goal is not to be left without surgery for months. We have already significantly reduced waiting, and we continue with plan and determination. “
Source: iatropedia.gr