São Francisco Xavier Hospital left vaginal dressings (compresses) inside two women after childbirth, the Health Regulatory Entity (Entidade Reguladora da Saúde or ERS) investigation found, with complaints dating from February and May 2025 and conclusions published on March 3. In one case a patient discovered the dressing six days after discharge; the ERS emphasised the need to protect patients' rights and proper care. Patients and those using maternity services should note the investigation and any follow-up measures announced by the hospital or regulator.
Hospital left vaginal dressings after two births
Tuesday, 3 March 2026AI summary
Context & Explainers
The ERS (Entidade Reguladora da Saúde) is Portugal's independent health regulator, responsible for overseeing the quality, access, and safety of healthcare services provided by both public and private providers.
The ERS monitors compliance with patients' rights, investigates complaints, and can issue warnings, recommendations, or sanctions when healthcare standards are not met. It publishes reports on waiting times, diagnostic delays, and access to care that often drive public debate about the state of Portugal's health system.
For residents, the ERS is the body to contact with complaints about healthcare services — whether delays in treatment, quality concerns, or issues with access to the National Health Service (Serviço Nacional de Saúde, SNS) or private providers.
São Francisco Xavier Hospital (Saint Francis Xavier Hospital) is a public hospital in Lisbon that provides maternity and other clinical services. After a complaint made on February 24, 2025, the Health Regulatory Entity (Entidade Reguladora da Saúde or ERS) opened an administrative process over two cases where vaginal compresses were left inside patients, so anyone treated there should keep medical records and can contact ERS to report concerns.
4 sources
- Hospital leaves forgotten vaginal compresses after childbirth of two womenCorreio da Manhã ·
- Forgotten compresses after childbirth in two women at São Francisco Xavier HospitalDinheiro Vivo ·
- Lisbon hospital left forgotten vaginal pads after the childbirth of two womenCNN Portugal ·
- Hospital leaves forgotten dressings in women after childbirthObservador ·
