Lanzarote Hospital receives accreditation to train future surgeons

The Doctor José Molina Orosa University Hospital has been officially accredited to train resident doctors in the specialty of General and Digestive System Surgery.

The approval, granted by the Ministry of Health, adds another key specialty to the Lanzarote hospital’s teaching portfolio. The centre is already recognised for training in Family and Community Medicine – Geriatrics, Paediatrics, Traumatology, and Internal Medicine.

On the nursing side, it is also accredited for resident nurses in Family and Community Nursing – Paediatric Nursing, Obstetrics-Gynaecology, and Geriatric Nursing.

Juan De Diego, head of the Surgery Department, welcomed the decision. “Accreditation for teaching in the training of resident doctors is an important step forward for the department and for the hospital,” he said. He added that it reflects “the effort and commitment of the entire team and represents a challenge that will enhance the specialty and contribute to the retention of talent.”

Training Specialists

The training programme is designed to produce competent specialists capable of working independently. It combines theoretical and practical learning, with resident doctors acquiring knowledge and skills under the guidance of accredited specialists.

To gain the certification, the surgery department had to demonstrate it met the Ministry’s strict requirements for human resources, infrastructure, equipment, and activity in healthcare, teaching, and research.

Notably, the hospital has recently strengthened its position with the arrival of the Da Vinci robotic surgery system, which has been operational since last September. The technology places the centre at the forefront of surgical innovation and boosts its appeal as a teaching hospital.

The surgical team is aware of the responsibility involved. The teaching task requires ongoing effort from hospital staff, including documenting protocols, reviewing clinical guidelines, research, and attending conferences – all of which, the team notes, ultimately improve patient care.

Verónica Gutiérrez, head of studies at the management, described the accreditation as “excellent news for the centre, as it means the growth of specialised health training in our hospital and improves training opportunities.”