Oncology and cardiology waiting lists worsen significantly

Monday, 11 May 2026AI summary

🩺 Health 🏛️ Government #healthcare #medical-services #patient-care

Oncology and cardiology waiting lists worsen significantly — Photo: Expresso

Data from the Health Regulatory Authority (Entidade Reguladora da Saúde or ERS) shows a sharp rise in waiting lists for cancer surgeries and initial oncology and cardiology appointments at the end of 2025. Additionally, surgical activity in hospitals with National Health Service (Serviço Nacional de Saúde or SNS) protocols fell by 7% in the second half of 2025, while destination hospitals saw a 4.5% increase. The Portuguese League Against Cancer (Liga Portuguesa Contra o Cancro or LPCC) has urged the Ministry of Health to implement urgent measures to ensure timely care.

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.

The Portuguese League Against Cancer (Liga Portuguesa Contra o Cancro or LPCC) is a non-profit organization that provides support to cancer patients and their families. It works alongside the national health system to offer information, psychosocial support, and financial assistance to those navigating oncology treatments in Portugal.