The Health Regulatory Entity (Entidade Reguladora da Saúde) has opened an evaluation into alleged constraints on access to cardiac surgery for users of the National Health Service, the authority confirmed. The move follows pressure from the Medical Association, which has asked authorities to check whether waiting delays led to deaths; the regulator says it will investigate the situation in more detail. Patients on cardiac surgery waiting lists and those using the SNS should watch for official findings and any hospital notices.
Regulator opens probe into cardiac surgery access
Wednesday, 25 February 2026AI summary
Context & Explainers
The ERS is the Health Regulatory Authority (Entidade Reguladora da Saúde), an independent regulator that oversees quality, access and compliance for public and private health providers in Portugal. Its warnings matter because they can trigger inspections or corrective measures, inform patients about service shortfalls and influence how the SNS (Serviço Nacional de Saúde) and private hospitals manage waiting lists for diagnostic tests.
