The healthcare assignment shown in a SIP record is not always permanent. People covered by Spain’s national health system may request a different family doctor, paediatrician or primary care centre in the Valencia region. They may also choose a specialist or hospital service, although the rules and documents differ.
The right to apply does not guarantee acceptance. The regional health authority may refuse a change when a professional’s patient list or waiting time would compromise care, when the legal conditions are not met, or for justified clinical or organisational reasons.
Primary care applications go to the chosen centre
A patient requesting another GP, paediatrician or centre uses the primary care choice procedure. Applications can be filed online with electronic identification or in person at the chosen centre, a patient information office or a public registry. A Valencian SIP health card is required.
The centre has 15 working days to decide. If it does not notify a decision within that period, the application is deemed accepted. An approved assignment is added to the SIP system, while a refusal must be issued in writing with reasons.
Choice is broader within the health department assigned through the patient’s registered address. Moving outside that department is exceptional and requires grounds such as living elsewhere for more than six months for family or social reasons, or working near the requested centre. Proximity to work must be documented.
Changing centres does not transfer home visits
Choosing a centre outside the home-address assignment has a little-known limit: both urgent and planned home care remain the responsibility of the original centre. A change of doctor may also result in a different nurse within the care unit.
Another voluntary change cannot normally be requested for six months. Where the authority itself moved a patient for organisational reasons, the patient may ask to return to the previous assignment after three months.
Specialist choice needs a clinical referral
Choosing a specialist or hospital service requires a report or referral form from a primary care doctor or another specialist in the Valencian system. The application goes to the management of the department where the chosen professional or service is based, preferably through its patient information office.
A decision is due within one month. Specialist choice applies to the clinical episode behind the referral and lasts until discharge or withdrawal. A further change within the same speciality cannot be requested for six months.
This article should be updated if Decree 74/2015, response deadlines, territorial limits or the regional government’s forms 2983 and 2985 change.