Medical union warns of critical emergency department conditions

The Northern Doctors Union (Sindicato dos Médicos do Norte or SMN) has declared the emergency departments at the Santa Maria da Feira and São João da Madeira hospitals to be in a critical state. The union attributes the situation to a lack of human resources and poor planning within the Entre Douro e Vouga Local Health Unit (Unidade Local de Saúde or ULS). Officials warn that these conditions are currently placing patients at risk.