A report by the Portuguese Association of Hospital Administrators (Associação Portuguesa de Administradores Hospitalares or APAH) reveals that 2,807 patients remain in public hospitals despite being medically discharged. These patients, who are waiting for placement in long-term care facilities or nursing homes, occupy nearly 14% of National Health Service (Serviço Nacional de Saúde or SNS) beds. The situation has worsened by 19% since last year, costing the state more than 350 million euros annually.
Inappropriate hospital stays cost state over 350 million euros
Wednesday, 22 April 2026AI summary
Context & Explainers
Staffing and shift schedules in the SNS combine permanent doctors, residents and temporary cover (locums or overtime) arranged by each hospital's Clinical Directorate ("Direção Clínica"), which plans rotas to cover on‑call and emergency shifts. Rotas are subject to national labour rules, collective agreements and local shortages, so hospitals may use voluntary shift swaps, incentives or external contractors when regular staff are unavailable.
The Portuguese Association of Hospital Managers (Associação Portuguesa de Administradores Hospitalares or APAH) is a professional organization representing individuals who manage public and private health institutions. It advocates for improvements in hospital management and often provides analysis on systemic issues like the current backlog of patients awaiting discharge from the national health service (Serviço Nacional de Saúde or SNS).
4 sources
- Social cases in hospitals increase by 19% and cost the State over 350 millionexpresso.pt ·
- Inappropriate hospital admissions cost the NHS over 350 million euros per year. "What is missing to understand the urgency of this?"publico.pt ·
- Number of people hospitalised after being discharged increases by 19% and exceeds 2,800rtp.pt ·
- Social admissions rise by 20% in one yearcmjornal.pt ·
