The SNS will concentrate more complex obstetric emergencies at Hospital de Loures from the 16th, while SNS24 will triage and direct patients to the service best suited to their needs. The SNS executive director Álvaro Almeida has defended the move and said funding diverted from INEM limited its emergency response capacity, remarks that drew criticism in a parliamentary hearing. Those relying on public care for pregnancy or childbirth should note the change in routing and confirm where to go ahead of any emergency.
Loures to take urgent obstetrics cases from Vila Franca
Thursday, 5 March 2026AI summary
Context & Explainers
INEM (Instituto Nacional de Emergência Médica) is Portugal's national emergency medical service, responsible for coordinating and providing pre-hospital emergency care. It operates the country's emergency medical dispatch system, activated through the European emergency number 112.
INEM deploys ambulances (including basic and advanced life support units), medical helicopters (VMER), and motorcycle response units across Portugal. It also manages the CODU (Centro de Orientação de Doentes Urgentes) — the emergency call centers that triage incoming 112 calls and dispatch the appropriate medical response.
INEM has faced persistent challenges including ambulance shortages, staffing gaps (particularly among emergency medical technicians), and long response times in rural areas. These issues have made INEM a frequent subject of political debate, with calls for better funding, improved working conditions, and expanded coverage. Residents should know that calling 112 connects to INEM's triage system, and knowing your exact location speeds up emergency response.
