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Doctors warn SNS under strain, propose hospital reform

Sunday, 15 February 2026AI summary

🩺 Health 🏛️ Government #healthcare #waiting-lists #hospital-reform #medical-services

Doctors warn SNS under strain, propose hospital reform — Photo: CNN Portugal

The Portuguese Society of Internal Medicine presented a hospital reform plan to the government, saying rising demand for consultations and surgeries has increased waiting lists and strained the National Health Service (Serviço Nacional de Saúde or SNS), CNN Portugal reports. The proposal includes hospital reorganisation and greater collaboration between specialties to cope with crisis phases and higher caseloads. Patients on waiting lists should follow communications from their hospital or primary care unit about scheduling and prioritisation.

Update: Presenter names rising demand as main cause

CNN Portugal quotes António Martins Baptista of the Portuguese Society of Internal Medicine, who said the increase in consultations and surgeries is a main driver of longer waiting lists and presented reorganisation and cross-specialty collaboration as remedies.

Context & Explainers

António Martins Baptista is a representative of the Portuguese Society of Internal Medicine (Sociedade Portuguesa de Medicina Interna) who presented a hospital reform proposal to the government. He has said that growing demand—more consultations and surgeries—helps explain the rise in NHS waiting lists.

The Portuguese Society of Internal Medicine (Sociedade Portuguesa de Medicina Interna) is the professional association for internal medicine doctors in Portugal that issues clinical guidance, organises scientific meetings and advises policymakers. It recently presented a hospital reform proposal and comments publicly on NHS issues such as waiting lists and service capacity.

Primary care (Cuidados de Saúde Primários) is the first level of the health system — general practitioners, nurses and health centres that deliver prevention, vaccinations, flu testing, chronic‑care management and referrals to hospitals. Strong primary care capacity reduces unnecessary emergency visits, so closures or limited access at this level tend to increase pressure and waiting times in hospital emergency departments during seasonal surges.