Community services

Straits crossing operation

The geographical situation of Spain, between Africa and Europe, leads it to play a major role in the communication and provision of services between the two continents. One of the most significant of these is the so-called Straits Crossing Operation; every year it ensures that hundreds of Moroccans making the journey between Europe and Northern Africa for the summer are able to reach their destination as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Specifically, the Straits Crossing Operation (OPE 2007), involved a total of 741,665 vehicles and 2,798,887 foot passengers who used the maritime lines between Southern Spain and North Africa, operated by 39 vessels from different companies. The operation requires significant input, not only from public administrations, but also from all the social agents and businesses involved.

ACCIONA, through Trasmediterranea, has contributed to the success of the operation, providing the necessary resources together with broad experience in maritime passenger transport. For some years, we have tried to directly optimise the efficiency of traffic across the Straits, by increasing the number of destinations and vessels used on the routes involved and by increasing the number of departures to meet demand. We also make use of our excellent relations with the Port Authorities to streamline the process as much as possible.

Thanks to this, the assessment of the Home Office with respect to OPE 2007 was excellent, as the operation was carried out in absolutely normal conditions, reducing waiting times, in spite of an almost 8% increase in vehicle traffic and a 2% increase in passengers with respect to the previous year. ACCIONA will continue working to improve the services provided to the community for the future.

Hospital Services

ACCIONA also contributes to community welfare with the provision of efficient hospital services from different lines of business and through the specific division, ACCIONA Hospital Services.

This division, which was created with the vocation to lead, at a national and international level, in the development, construction and management of health-related infrastructures and the provision of health and social services has in recent years been involved in the construction of the following hospitals, among others:

• Hospital Río Hortega, Valladolid.
• Hospital San Pedro, Logroño.
• Hospital de Segovia.
• Hospital de Torrevieja, Alicante.
• Hospital Infanta Sofía, Madrid.
• Hospital del Bajío (Méjico).

ACCIONA Hospital Services, in a short space of time, has established its firm commitment to the funding and management of hospital services under the formula of Public and Private Participation (PPP). This formula includes the drafting of the project, together with construction and funding, maintenance of the infrastructure and the management of non-health related services in general, and of medical services on occasions.

The model is characteristic of the United Kingdom, but is rapidly spreading across Europe, specifically to Spain where it has been firmly adopted by the Community of Madrid, followed by the Community of Valencia and Castilla y León. The model guarantees the budgetary stability and efficiency of the government, but by transferring the risks to the private sector, it enables the non-consolidation of the associated debt of the investment, and incorporates the experience of private initiative in infrastructure management.

Contributions to date in this area include:

Hospital de Torrevieja (Alicante)

At the end of 2006 ACCIONA's first hospital concession started operations; the Group is a 10% shareholder. It has a built area of 40,000 m2 and 250 beds. It is a 20-year concession and this includes the construction and maintenance of the hospital, the provision of non-health related services and health services (hospitals and primary health care).

Hospital Infanta Sofía (San Sebastián de los Reyes-Madrid)

Opened in February 2008, this health centre has a built area of 85,000 m2, 283 beds in individual rooms, 11 operating theatres and 30 medical specialities. It will serve more than 300,000 inhabitants from 53 boroughs in the north of the Madrid region. The concession includes the construction and maintenance of the building and installations and the provision of all non-health related services of the hospital for 30 years; it falls within the `Plan for Health Infrastructures 2004-2007´ of the Community of Madrid.

Hospital del Bajío (Méjico)

Opened in March 2007, it has a built area of 24,000 m2 and 184 beds. It is the first public and private partnership hospital in Latin America. ACCIONA Hospital Services will operate the structural services of the hospital for 25 years, receiving an annual fee, in payment for services, from the Mexican health authorities. The operation of the hospital's health services will be the responsibility of the Secretary of Health for the Federal Government.

Funeral services

Mémora provides funeral services in Spain and Portugal and makes a continued effort to offer new facilities adapted to current needs and demands. The provision of new installations is based on the criteria of proximity and public needs. They add to the social infrastructures of an area, aiming to provide a service to large population and area, not exclusively limited to major urban centres.

Mémora serves a population of some 12 million people in Spain and 4 million in Portugal.

Commitment to sustainability and the environment govern its actions; for example, the exclusive use of environmentally certified wood and biodegradable urns.

In addition, in an effort to foster research in all its activities, Mémora is proud to be the pioneer in Europe in the creation of the first DNA bank, through a project in collaboration with the laboratories, General Lab. This initiative offers major benefits to genetic research and legal processes.

In addition, Mémora acts an intermediary between the family of the deceased and the Ophthalmologic Centre Barraquer de Barcelona, for cornea donations.