The government acknowledges delays in finalising hospital performance contracts and their indicators for 2026 but says the lack of signed metrics will not affect current activity, and the process should finish by the end of March, Público reports. Hospitals and health centres are operating without the formal indicators while ministers and officials complete the contractual process. Patients and clinicians should monitor communications from their hospital administration if they rely on new programmes tied to 2026 performance agreements.
Minister: hospital contract delays won't hinder activity
Tuesday, 24 February 2026AI summary
Context & Explainers
Hospital performance indicators (indicadores de desempenho hospitalar) are measurable targets set by health authorities—such as waiting times, procedure volumes or bed occupancy—used to assess and compare hospitals and health centres. In this news, providers say they do not yet know the 2026 indicators, which the government expects to finalise by the end of March, leaving managers uncertain about targets and planning.
