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Patients in the Region of Murcia are among the most frequent visitors to family doctors in Spain, according to new data that sheds further light on the pressures facing the public healthcare system.

 

The figures show that 12% of the population visit their GP at least 13 times a year, marking them out as intensive users of primary care. A further 28.5% attend between 6 and 12 times annually, meaning a significant proportion of residents rely heavily on regular medical support.

 

Healthcare professionals say this pattern reflects deeper social and economic realities. “There are several reasons behind this increased frequency of visits, and one of them is the lower income level,” explains Abel Novoa, president of the Association for the Defense of Public Healthcare. In Murcia, only 13.3% of residents have private health insurance, compared to 37.5% in Madrid, increasing reliance on public services.

 

This sustained demand comes as the region’s healthcare system has already been under strain in recent months, with doctors announcing various strike actions amid an ongoing dispute over working conditions. The latest figures help explain why pressure on frontline services remains so intense.

 

Experts also point to underlying health factors. “Behind this high demand lies the Region’s social structure,” says family doctor Asensio López, citing lower income and education levels, as well as a higher burden of disease. Conditions such as diabetes, hypertension and mental health issues are more prevalent, while older residents often have complex needs. In fact, 48% of people over 74 take at least five medications a day, the highest rate in Spain, which leads to more frequent consultations.

 

Despite this heavy use of GP services, Murcia stands out for the opposite reason when it comes to nursing. Around 55% of residents do not see their assigned nurse at all במהלך the year, and the region records just 1.9 nursing visits per person annually, well below the national average of 3.

 

This imbalance is seen as part of the problem. “Nursing needs to play a more prominent role,” Novoa says, while López agrees that the full potential of primary care nurses has yet to be developed.

 

The situation adds further context to long-standing concerns about waiting times and access to care, despite the region’s healthcare system often receiving praise for its overall quality.

 

For many patients, frequent visits are not always about new health issues. Repeat prescriptions, particularly for those with chronic conditions, often require multiple appointments. “Even though it’s not an in-person appointment, it counts towards the number of visits,” López notes.

 

Earlier this year, changes affecting more than 186,000 patients, including new doctor allocations, were also introduced as part of efforts to manage demand.

 

Together, the data paints a clear picture. Murcia’s healthcare system continues to carry a heavy load, driven not just by population numbers, but by deeper social and health-related challenges that keep patients returning to their doctors time and again.

 

 

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