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Government to open 400 temporary social inpatient places

Friday, 9 January 2026AI summary

🏖️ Daily Life 🏛️ Government #healthcare #patient-care #government-policy #social-care

Government to open 400 temporary social inpatient places

The government announced creation of 400 social inpatient places in new intermediate units, contracted with organisations from the social and solidarity sector, to house people medically discharged but not yet fit for long‑term continuing care. Authorities have not specified locations or start dates and call the measure an 'exceptional and temporary solution.' The move aims to reduce hospital pressure and could speed up discharges for patients awaiting longer‑term placements.

Context & Explainers

The Social Democratic Party ('Partido Social Democrata' or 'PSD') is a liberal-conservative political party in Portugal that is the leading partner of the The Democratic Alliance (AD) which is the country's ruling party, with Prime Minister Luís Montenegro.

The Social Democratic Party, despite its name, occupies the centre-right of Portugal's political spectrum. Luís Montenegro, who became Prime Minister in April 2024, leads Portugal's current minority government. The PSD has been one of Portugal's two dominant parties since 1974, having formed nine governments including four with absolute majorities. Montenegro, a former party leader from 1996-1999, was elected with the highest approval rating among party leaders at 10.7 points out of 20.

The Democratic Alliance is a centre-right coalition that includes the smaller CDS – People's Party, a Christian democratic party that has historically been the PSD's coalition partner. Together, they govern without a parliamentary majority, requiring case-by-case support from opposition parties to pass legislation.

Intermediate units (Portuguese: unidades intermédias) are social inpatient facilities for people who have been medically discharged from hospital but are not yet ready to move to permanent continuing-care services. Creating 400 places contracted with organisations in the social and solidarity sector aims to free up acute hospital beds and reduce delayed discharges, which can shorten waiting times and improve flow through hospitals for all patients.