The University Hospital Virgen del Rocío (HUVR), part of the Andalusian Health Service (SAS), has received two new designations as Centres, Services and Units of Reference (CSUR) in Spain’s National Health System. The hospital now has 37 national reference units, placing it third among hospitals in Spain, behind Vall d’Hebron Hospital in Barcelona and La Paz Hospital in Madrid.
The complex thyroid cancer unit is coordinated by Dr Ana Romero Lluch, a specialist in endocrinology and nutrition. It treats three types of thyroid cancer: high-risk differentiated thyroid cancer, medullary thyroid cancer and anaplastic thyroid cancer. The source describes these cases as uncommon and highly complex, requiring assessment, follow-up and treatment at a reference centre with a multidisciplinary team. The team includes specialists in endocrinology, surgery, nuclear medicine, laboratory medicine, medical and radiation oncology, radiology and nursing. The unit is part of the hospital’s Clinical Management Unit for Endocrinology, led by Dr Alfonso Soto.
The new reference unit for surgery for complex central airway stenosis in adults is part of the hospital’s Pneumology and Thoracic Surgery Unit. It is coordinated by thoracic surgeon Dr José Luis López Villalobos. Laryngotracheal stenosis is a narrowing of the airway that causes breathing difficulties, usually developing gradually, which can make diagnosis difficult and delay treatment. Airway obstruction can be fatal or require a permanent tracheostomy. The hospital says specialist equipment and experience in stenosis surgery can lead to a high rate of treatment success in most cases, despite their complexity. The unit is part of the Clinical Management Unit for Pneumology and Thoracic Surgery, led by Dr Luis Jara Palomares.
The announcement was made as First Vice-President of the Andalusian regional government and Minister for the Presidency, Health and Emergencies Antonio Sanz attended a meeting in Écija, Seville, organised by the APRONI International Foundation and SEMERGEN. The meeting focused on care for people who have had a stroke and the role of primary care in their recovery and follow-up.