The ENT department at San Martino Hospital in Oristano continues to grow . Director Andrea Melis, who founded the department in 2024, takes stock of its second year of existence . A few days ago, on the occasion of the feast of San Biagio, the patron saint of ENT specialists, he celebrated the day with a ceremony in the hospital chapel officiated by the parish priest of Terralba, Don Andrea Martis .

"2025 was a year of consolidation both in terms of staffing and numbers," the director begins. "In the past year, 5,840 services were performed, 81 percent more than those provided in 2024. This is thanks to the increased staffing, which increased from two to four doctors, and now includes two audiometrists, three nurses, and two social workers." Not only did the services provided to external users (not hospitalized) increase, from 2,508 to 4,485 in one year (approximately 79% more than 2024), but above all, the number of internal consultations provided to emergency room or hospitalized patients: in 2024, there were 721, while in 2025, there were 1,355, almost 88% more. It is noteworthy that 53% of the total patients come from other provinces.

Regarding outpatient services, 2,442 audiovestibology procedures were performed, 1,933 general otorhinolaryngology procedures, and 110 rhinology procedures. In 2025, the facility also introduced day surgery, which involves surgical procedures performed in a hospital setting during the day: 125 operations were performed. For 2026, thanks to the arrival of two new doctors, the plan is to further expand both surgical and outpatient services. Effective February 1st, the latter has been extended from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., an additional four hours per day that will allow for more visits and thus further reduce waiting times.

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