According to the ministry, a joint order from the secretaries of state of health and finance to that effect has already been issued. In a statement, it says that plans to bolster the management autonomy of public health units that form part of the SNS are to be rolled out this year and in the coming years.

The plan covers all hospitals, groups of hospitals, cancer institutes and local health centres, which are to be divided into three groups by levels of efficiency.

It provides for the creation of a framework for the monitoring and assessment of performance as management functions in these units develop, to be staffed by representatives from the ministry, from the central body that administers health systems, and from all Regional Health Administrations, as well up to three representatives appointed by the Ministry of Finance.