Worker shortage sends care home fees soaring and increases pressure on families
PRESS REVIEW || There are cases where monthly costs have risen by hundreds of euros in a few years
Monthly fees at care homes soar due to labour shortages
Portuguese reporting indicates a sharp rise in monthly fees at some care homes — increases of roughly €500 — driven largely by a persistent labour shortage and higher operating costs. The hikes are prompting families to withdraw elderly relatives, intensifying pressure on informal care networks and raising equity and access concerns for vulnerable patients. Economically, the trend highlights how rising labour costs and constrained staffing can be passed directly to users in minimally regulated markets, with implications for social policy, funding models and workforce recruitment/retention. Separately, French coverage notes a demobilisation of farmers’ protests in Paris, underscoring a wider context of labour and sectoral tensions across services and primary production.
When INEM fails to arrive in time
Despite repeated technical assessments, confirmed financial capacity and clear structural proposals, the SNS and INEM keep failing to deliver timely emergency responses. This analysis points to implementation gaps — weak governance, fragmented coordination between national and regional bodies, staffing shortages and poor resource allocation — rather than lack of solutions; the result is delayed care that harms patients (including expats) and undermines public wellbeing. Addressing the problem requires transparent accountability, an independent audit of operational bottlenecks, data-driven redistribution of resources and political commitment to implement already-defined reforms.
How much does chronic pain cost in Portugal?
Chronic pain affects more than three million people in Portugal, exacerbates social inequalities and is an economic problem with various associated costs, warns anaesthetist Nuno Franco.
15% of Portuguese already have a private family doctor
A survey by Nova SBE shows use of private-sector services rose from 11.8% in 2023 to 15.5% in 2025. The likelihood of relying exclusively on the SNS (Portugal's National Health Service) fell from 90% to 82% over three years.
Fewer people are relying solely on the SNS and more are opting for private care
Difficulties accessing the National Health Service (SNS) are driving patients away from exclusive reliance on public care and toward private healthcare. More than half of people report self-medicating and the majority do not inform their doctor, while those who can afford private care rarely revert to the SNS once they switch. The trend suggests growing segmentation in access and a potential long-term shift of wealthier patients out of the public system.
André Pestana says money transferred to private providers should be invested in the NHS
Presidential candidate André Pestana argues that funds currently routed to private healthcare providers should instead be invested in the NHS. He says greater NHS investment would strengthen health professionals' careers and deliver practical improvements — for example, better ambulances available sooner — reducing reliance on private sector services.
Treating obesity costs "around €300 a month", it's "huge": "We are fighting for the State to subsidise it"
Portugal has already exceeded the European average for obesity and “more than half of the population in Portugal aged between 18 and 74 is overweight or obese”. There is consensus among specialists: “Unfortunately, in our country we have no State subsidy for obesity drugs, and that is not right.” Partially funding the treatment (which in some cases can last indefinitely) “brings financial savings for the State” and the success rate “will be huge”.
Private emergency departments saw a 20% rise in demand between Christmas and New Year
Private hospital emergency departments experienced a roughly 20% increase in patient visits and demand for care during the period between Christmas and New Year.
Government approves €600 million for Local Health Units and Oncology Institutes
The Ministries of Health and Finance authorised a fresh injection of €600 million for the Local Health Units and Oncology Institutes to regularise overdue debts.
Press review: the new model for obstetrics and the around 1.5 million workers earning up to €920
A press roundup covering a proposed new model for obstetric services and the situation of roughly 1.5 million workers who earn up to €920 a month.
Compulsive shopping: How oniomania affects mental health
The impulsive, repetitive urge to shop has a name. Oniomania has profound effects on emotional well-being, owing to lies, loss of control over finances and feelings of guilt.
Obesity medications would cost the State between €194.8m and €954.4m over two years
The State would spend at least €194.8 million and up to €954.4 million to subsidise obesity medications for 170,405 patients who meet the criteria of the Integrated Care Pathway for People with Obesity over a two-year period.
Government amends the Statute of the Informal Caregiver to protect dependents
The monthly subsidy granted to the main informal caregiver has increased from 1 IAS (509.26 euros) to 1.1 IAS (560.19 euros).
Firefighters assess protests
The league met and is demanding urgent payment of a 30 million euro debt from INEM for patient transport.
Marques Mendes insisted on the political crisis of 2022 and Catarina Martins justified herself with disinvestment in the NHS
Marques Mendes emphasized the political crisis that occurred in 2022, while Catarina Martins defended her position by citing a lack of investment in the National Health Service (NHS).
The logic of false change is over
Because the NHS needs a new perspective and leadership that will restore direction and sustainability.
Infarmed is analysing potential reimbursement for obesity medications
The WHO has recommended for the first time to expand the use of a class of medications used for diabetes and weight loss to treat obesity, which affects one billion people.
Infarmed evaluates potential co-payment for obesity medications
Infarmed is assessing the possibility of co-payment for obesity treatment medications, announced the Minister of Health on Wednesday, following new recommendations from the WHO regarding the disease. “It must be evaluated by experts and must fall within the guidelines set by the DGS for cases considered severe,” she said ...
