Latest news and stories about healthcare in culture in Portugal for expats and residents.
Emergency departments are experiencing significant wait times for urgent patients, with extreme heat identified as a contributing factor affecting vulnerable elderly individuals.
Patients with severe heart disease face critical delays in accessing percutaneous valve replacement (TAVI), leading to preventable mortality and disability for those ineligible for traditional surgery.
An editorial by Marta Moitinho Oliveira discussing the unprecedented strain on healthcare systems where patients with established family doctors are losing access to care.
The article examines the critical shift in healthcare funding models, questioning whether Local Health Units should be compensated based on production volume or the quality and continuity of patient pathways.
The government has pledged to avoid artificial reductions in surgery waiting lists, while the Medical Association calls for increased capacity and transparency following new administrative changes to patient categorization.
A former INEM employee, João Figueira, passed away at Beatriz Ângelo Hospital in Loures after suffering a heart attack and experiencing delays in his scheduled surgery due to the facility's lack of specialized equipment.
The president of the Almada Seixal Local Health Unit acknowledges that while immigration contributes to the shortage of family doctors, it is not the only factor, as the institution continues to face significant human resource constraints.
Spanish healthcare group Ribera is actively pursuing new public-private partnership opportunities in Portugal, with leadership currently awaiting feasibility studies to guide their expansion strategy.
Professionals guarantee they are available for greater integration with the National Health Service, but the mechanisms to allow this are lacking. This will be one of the topics debated between May 28 and 30 at the 15th Congress of the National Association of Pharmacies, for which Expresso is a media partner.
A growing number of dermatologists in Portugal are opting out of health insurance networks due to stagnant reimbursement rates and administrative burdens, resulting in appointment wait times of up to eight months and raising concerns about healthcare accessibility.
The UK Government is introducing financial incentives of up to 80 percent of base salary for NHS doctors who volunteer for additional overtime in emergency departments beyond their standard annual requirements.
For the socialists, the loss of responsiveness of the NHS is particularly “incomprehensible” when it is known that it has more money and more medical staff
The external paediatric surgery emergency department at Dona Estefânia Hospital will remain closed until Sunday.
The National Institute of Medical Emergency (INEM) is evaluating the potential termination of night-time medical helicopter transport as part of a broader government restructuring plan, with alternative coverage provided by VMER teams.
The Liberal Initiative has requested the digital footprint of strike notice emails sent to the Ministry of Health to verify claims made by officials, while the parliamentary inquiry committee considers potential perjury charges against the Health Minister.
The Portuguese Firefighters League has terminated its cooperation agreement with INEM over 20 million euros in unpaid debts, prompting the government to promise an urgent resolution to ensure emergency services continue.
A decline in the number of nurses leaving the profession offers a glimmer of hope for the SNS, though experts argue that lifting hiring restrictions and expanding primary care access remain critical priorities.
The Centralised Gynaecology and Obstetrics Emergency Department of Loures-Odivelas/Tejo Estuary recorded 201 births during its inaugural month of operation, meeting expected performance targets.
A survey of 8,500 chronic patients aged 45 and over reveals that only 35% possess an individual care plan, while access to video consultations remains limited to 15% of participating health centres.
A new regional gynaecology and obstetrics emergency service has launched on the Setúbal Peninsula, operating across the Garcia de Orta and São Bernardo hospitals while relying on a mix of permanent and temporary medical staff.
The Garcia de Orta Hospital faces potential overcrowding and staffing shortages as it becomes a regional hub following the permanent closure of the Barreiro obstetrics emergency department.
The NHS executive director warns that the Socialist Party's 'Back Home' bill, aimed at addressing delayed hospital discharges, risks creating redundant structures and inefficient resource allocation.
The Saúde em Diálogo platform highlights the fragility of Portugal's National Health Service, advocating for a unified patient registry and integrated care models to improve patient outcomes.
Mayors are seeking meetings with political parties to address the negative impact of obstetric emergency service closures on local populations, particularly those in remote areas.
The article argues for a rigorous clarification of the roles between health and social systems in elderly care, while criticizing the government's inconsistent allocation of resources for vulnerable patients compared to political figures.
Portuguese Health Minister Ana Paula Martins acknowledges the upcoming nurses' strike while stating that not all union demands can be met immediately, emphasizing that solutions require time.
One month after storm Kristin, the Leiria hospital continues to grapple with the aftermath of the disaster, which saw 177 polytrauma patients flood the emergency department in just six hours. Healthcare professionals faced significant challenges, including a lack of communication and blocked roads, forcing patients to arrive in their own vehicles. As attention shifted from the storm's immediate impact, underlying issues in the healthcare system have resurfaced, highlighting ongoing chaos and the need for improved public safety policies.
The article discusses concerns regarding the dehumanization of healthcare services in the Alentejo Litoral region of Portugal, as highlighted by Vítor Proença, President of CIMAL. During a meeting with local municipalities and social institutions, Proença expressed alarm over reports of inadequate care at the Hospital do Litoral Alentejano, particularly affecting vulnerable populations such as the elderly and sick. The meeting aimed to address these issues as part of a broader initiative to enhance healthcare in the region. Proença emphasized the importance of understanding local experiences to formulate effective proposals for improving health services.
The article discusses health issues in the Litoral Alentejano region, focusing on the fight for better conditions in the sector. It highlights a demonstration in Lisbon by User Committees, attended by hundreds of citizens, local officials, and health professionals, demanding more doctors, nurses, and improvements in hospital facilities and health centers. The region faces challenges such as a shortage of family doctors, deteriorating facilities, and long waiting times in various specialties. Additionally, the Litoral Alentejano Hospital requires more human resources, particularly nurses, to open new emergency services and ensure adequate care. The document also mentions the population served by the Local Health Unit of Litoral Alentejano, which covers about 100,000 inhabitants. Besides health issues, the text highlights cultural events, exhibitions, festivals, educational activities, and leisure in the region, reflecting an active cultural and social agenda.
The president of the Portuguese Society of Cardiology (SPC), Cristina Gavina, expressed today her regret that the discussion regarding patients on the waiting list for heart surgery in the North region now seems to be focused on a “war between hospitals” rather than on immediate solutions.
