The latest recruitment drive for the National Health Service (Serviço Nacional de Saúde or SNS) filled only 38 percent of available family doctor vacancies. The Portuguese Medical Association (Ordem dos Médicos) warns that while the government opened all requested positions, additional incentives are necessary to retain specialists and address structural issues. Meanwhile, staff at the Braga Hospital emergency department have reported severe overcrowding and understaffed teams.
Family doctor shortage persists despite recent recruitment efforts
Saturday, 18 July 2026AI summary
Context & Explainers
The Ordem dos Médicos is Portugal’s professional medical association that registers doctors, enforces ethical rules and can discipline members. It issues formal opinions and can challenge health policies or laws, so its objections matter when a programme like the Waitlist Recovery Programme changes how patients are referred or treated.
ULS Alto Ave is the Alto Ave Local Health Unit (Unidade Local de Saúde do Alto Ave), a public body that runs hospitals and some primary-care services for the Ave area in northern Portugal. It is part of the National Health Service (Serviço Nacional de Saúde or SNS), and recent staff strikes have affected overtime and complementary work, so residents should check local hospital notices before visiting.
5 sources
- Medical Association warns that retaining family doctors in the NHS requires more incentives, as nearly 40% of vacancies remained unfilledexpresso.pt ·
- Hired family doctors to serve 400,000 patients. Only 38% of vacancies filledrtp.pt ·
- Medical Association warns that retaining family doctors in the NHS requires additional measurespublico.pt ·
- Union warns of "enormous overload" and "understaffed teams" at Braga Hospital emergency departmentcmjornal.pt ·
- Braga Hospital emergency department facing "enormous overload" and "understaffed teams"SÁBADO ·
