Andorra Backs Reverse Referral Despite Low 5% Uptake

Andorra's Health Ministry continues to back the reverse referral system introduced two years ago to redirect patients with minor ailments from hospital emergency departments to their primary care doctors, despite its limited uptake so far.

Latest hospital data from November shows that only 5% of eligible patients agree to leave the emergency service and book an appointment with their assigned doctor—or any available primary care physician if their own cannot see them within 48 hours, the protocol's deadline. The ministry maintains that results over the two years align with initial expectations, describing the measure as one requiring extended implementation to shift long-established patient habits around seeking emergency care.

Officials emphasise the need for more time to conduct a thorough evaluation, while pledging to boost awareness through wider promotion and communication of the process. Monitoring of its performance will continue.

The system activates after initial triage by emergency staff, who assess that a patient's condition does not require immediate attention and can safely wait up to 48 hours for primary care. Patients hold the final say: they can choose to depart and follow up with their doctor or remain for hospital treatment. To date, the vast majority opt to stay.