Health: Patient care news in Portugal

A new European study reveals that Portuguese patients wait an average of 919 days to access innovative cancer treatments, ranking among the longest wait times in Europe. Meanwhile, the SNS reported record spending on medicines in 2025, reaching 4.4 billion euros, with hospital-based drug costs accounting for the largest share of the expenditure.

The Ordem dos Médicos has presented a set of 18 proposals to the Ministry of Health aimed at improving the National Health Service (Serviço Nacional de Saúde or SNS). The plan focuses on resizing patient lists, reducing administrative bureaucracy, and implementing permanent recruitment to address the fact that 15% of the population currently lacks a family doctor.

More than 100 nurses gathered in Lisbon on Tuesday to protest for higher salaries and improved working conditions. The demonstration coincided with International Nurses Day, with union leaders highlighting the ongoing pressure on the National Health Service (Serviço Nacional de Saúde or SNS) and the loss of professionals.

The Minister of Health has acknowledged ongoing difficulties in reducing waiting lists for oncology and cardiology surgeries, with data showing over 209,000 patients awaiting procedures at the end of 2025. The Portuguese League Against Cancer (Liga Portuguesa Contra o Cancro or LPCC) reports that more than 21% of patients have exceeded their guaranteed maximum response time for care. Officials hope that new access systems will eventually alleviate these delays within the National Health Service (Serviço Nacional de Saúde or SNS).

A new pilot project, SAD+Saúde, began this Monday to provide home-based medical and social support for individuals with dependency or health limitations. The initiative is a collaboration between the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Labour, Solidarity and Social Security, operating through five Private Institutions of Social Solidarity (Instituições Particulares de Solidariedade Social or IPSS). The service offers 24-hour assistance, including meals, hygiene care, and medication management.

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.

The government has announced a new incentive scheme for National Health Service (Serviço Nacional de Saúde or SNS) doctors working overtime in emergency departments. Physicians who exceed their annual requirement of 150 to 250 hours may receive compensation of up to 80 percent of their base salary, though critics argue that reorganizing emergency access may merely shift the burden of care rather than solving underlying capacity issues.

New research from the Nova School of Business and Economics indicates that chronic disease prevalence in Portugal is rising, particularly among younger age groups. The study highlights that economic hardship is a significant factor, with the probability of chronic illness for those with lower financial means nearly doubling over the last eight years.

Official data from the Central Administration of the Health System indicates that the National Health Service (Serviço Nacional de Saúde or SNS) is facing a decline in performance, with fewer consultations and surgeries performed by the end of February compared to previous years. Meanwhile, the Portuguese Society of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine (Sociedade Portuguesa de Obstetrícia e Medicina Materno-Fetal or SPOMMF) acknowledged that private hospitals are performing an excess of caesarean sections. The society attributed this trend to the ongoing crisis in public obstetric emergency services.

The General Inspectorate of Health Activities (Inspeção-Geral das Atividades em Saúde or IGAS) is investigating the deaths of ten patients who were on waiting lists for cardiac surgery at the Santo António hospital. These deaths reportedly occurred between 2022 and 2025, prompting oversight bodies to demand accountability for the long wait times.

An association led by Cristina Mesquita is calling for the implementation of the National Strategy for Menopause Rights, which is included in the state budget and scheduled to begin by late June. With nearly three million women in menopause in Portugal, advocates argue that specialized consultations are essential to ensure proper medical care.

The National Institute of Medical Emergency (Instituto Nacional de Emergência Médica or INEM) is under scrutiny after its emergency dispatch centre, the CODU, reportedly refused to authorize hospital transport for a 55-year-old blind man. Although the CODU initially dispatched an ambulance from the Arruda dos Vinhos fire department to the Marvila area in Lisbon, it later denied the patient admission to the hospital. Firefighters proceeded to transport the man to the Hospital de São José regardless of the instruction.

The number of social hospitalizations—patients who remain in hospitals despite being medically cleared for discharge—increased by 19% between March 2025 and March 2026. These patients currently occupy 14% of all available beds within the National Health Service (Serviço Nacional de Saúde or SNS), raising concerns about hospital capacity.

President of the Republic António José Seguro has appointed former health minister Adalberto Campos Fernandes to coordinate a new Strategic Pact for Health. The initiative aims to build a long-term, cross-party consensus to improve the national healthcare system, with Campos Fernandes emphasizing that the sector requires stability and efficiency over radical changes.

A report by the Portuguese Association of Hospital Administrators (Associação Portuguesa de Administradores Hospitalares or APAH) reveals that 2,807 patients remain in public hospitals despite being medically discharged. These patients, who are waiting for placement in long-term care facilities or nursing homes, occupy nearly 14% of National Health Service (Serviço Nacional de Saúde or SNS) beds. The situation has worsened by 19% since last year, costing the state more than 350 million euros annually.

Minister of Health Ana Paula Martins admitted during a parliamentary debate that the National Health Service (Serviço Nacional de Saúde or SNS) faces increased waiting lists and a decline in activity compared to 2025. The minister attributed these issues to seasonal factors and rising demand, while announcing a 50-million-euro investment to renovate emergency departments. Data also indicates that while total emergency visits fell during the winter, the proportion of urgent cases increased.

A study by the Catholic University of Portugal indicates that nearly 70% of respondents are worried about the state of the National Health Service (Serviço Nacional de Saúde or SNS). Over a third of those surveyed reported needing private health insurance due to concerns regarding waiting lists and emergency response times. Critics argue that despite government pledges to maintain a universal public system, current policies are shifting focus toward private interests.

The Portuguese Nurses' Union (Sindicato dos Enfermeiros Portugueses or SEP) has announced a national strike for May 12. The industrial action will span the public, private, and social sectors as nurses demand government intervention to address long-standing professional grievances.

Emergency services on the south bank of the Tagus are under pressure as the obstetrics and gynaecology department at Barreiro Hospital closes permanently this Wednesday. Patients are being redirected to hospitals in Almada and Setúbal, while staff at the Garcia de Orta Hospital report that rosters are at their limit. Meanwhile, Luís Duarte Costa has resigned as director of the Amadora-Sintra emergency department, citing the hospital's inability to transfer patients to wards due to a lack of beds.

The government has updated the payment rates for private providers contracted by the SNS to perform diagnostic and therapeutic exams. The Ministry of Health stated the measure aims to reduce access constraints for patients, specifically for ultrasounds and mammograms, and includes the introduction of digital breast tomosynthesis to the list of covered procedures.

Expenditure on temporary doctors, known as tarefeiros, reached 249.7 million euros in 2025, marking a 17% increase from the previous year. The National Health Service (Serviço Nacional de Saúde or SNS) relies on these contracts to maintain emergency department operations, with the Algarve Local Health Unit reporting the highest costs.

Luís Duarte Costa has resigned as director of the General Emergency Service at the Amadora-Sintra Local Health Unit. He cited the failure to implement a plan to manage patients permanently admitted to the emergency department due to a lack of hospital beds and social cases as the primary reason for his departure.

The Braga Hospital, a surgeon, and an insurance company have been ordered to pay 132,000 euros in damages to the parents of a 33-year-old patient who died following surgery. The court ruled that the surgeon failed to address post-operative complications, specifically an untreated abscess, which constituted medical malpractice.

Approximately 50 people demonstrated in front of the Ministry of Health in Lisbon this Saturday to demand the continuation of obstetric and gynecological emergency services. The protest, organized by the Movement of Users of Public Services, called for increased investment in the National Health Service (Serviço Nacional de Saúde or SNS).

Patients at the Fernando da Fonseca Hospital in Amadora-Sintra have faced significant delays in the emergency department this week. Despite the end of the winter plan, urgent patients with yellow triage bracelets have waited nearly 13 hours for initial observation, while very urgent cases have faced waits exceeding four hours.

The Independent Doctors' Union (Sindicato Independente dos Médicos or SIM) has expressed significant reservations regarding the government's strategic plan for palliative care for 2025-2026. The union claims the plan lacks a clear impact and has demanded the urgent appointment of a national commission to oversee the sector. SIM representatives argue that the current strategy fails to address the practical needs of the healthcare system.

Minister of Health Ana Paula Martins stated that the National Health Service (Serviço Nacional de Saúde or SNS) is currently providing its most intense response in both quality and quantity. The ministry reported that over 668,000 new users have registered in the system over the last three years.

Private healthcare providers now perform nearly 40% of all medical procedures in Portugal, including surgeries and diagnostic exams, according to recent data. The federation representing these private entities describes their role as a structural network that complements the National Health Service (Serviço Nacional de Saúde or SNS). This collaboration includes approximately 150 million procedures contracted annually to support public health capacity.

One in three patients suffering from depression in Portugal reports experiencing suicidal thoughts or self-harm, according to recent data. Many of these individuals struggle to access necessary care due to limited capacity within the National Health Service (Serviço Nacional de Saúde or SNS) and the high costs associated with private medical treatment.

Four hospital emergency departments, including obstetrics and paediatrics units, are closed this Saturday according to the National Health Service (Serviço Nacional de Saúde or SNS) portal. The affected facilities include hospitals in Santarém, Abrantes, Portimão, and Torres Vedras. Health authorities advise the public to contact the SNS 24 health line before traveling to any emergency department.

Update: Emergency department closures continue across four hospitals

Latest updates from the SNS portal confirm that the gynaecology and obstetrics departments at hospitals in Santarém, Abrantes, and Portimão remain closed. Additionally, the paediatric emergency unit at the Torres Vedras District Hospital is also unavailable to the public.

The Executive Directorate has increased the maximum waiting time for very high-priority scheduled surgeries from 15 to 30 days. Health authorities claim this adjustment allows for a greater number of patients to be treated, though the National Medical Association (Ordem dos Médicos) and the National Federation of Doctors (Federação Nacional dos Médicos or FNAM) have expressed opposition to the change. Critics argue the policy facilitates patient transfers to the private sector without strengthening the National Health Service (Serviço Nacional de Saúde or SNS).

The Executive Board of the National Health Service (Serviço Nacional de Saúde or SNS) has rejected recommendations from the SINACC working group to shorten maximum response times for hospital appointments. The new regulations extend waiting periods for priority patients and omit a proposed seven-day triage window, drawing criticism from experts who warn of increased pressure on emergency departments. The SNS board maintains that the new rules are an improvement over previous legislation.

The SNS 24 psychological counselling line (Linha de Aconselhamento Psicológico) has answered 448,000 calls since its launch in 2020. The service is staffed by 170 psychologists and has been available in English since 2022 to support residents and health professionals. Most callers seek help for anxiety and crisis situations, with the service now averaging 430 consultations daily.

The National Health Service (Serviço Nacional de Saúde or SNS) performed more surgeries and consultations over the last two years, yet many patients still struggle to access care. Waiting lists have grown, and a significant number of residents remain without an assigned family doctor (médico de família). The data suggests that increased hospital productivity has not been enough to offset the rising demand for medical services.

The Ministry of Finance (Ministério das Finanças) and the Ministry of Health (Ministério da Saúde) announced a 1.23 billion euro injection to pay off debts within the National Health Service (Serviço Nacional de Saúde or SNS). The funds are earmarked for Local Health Units (Unidades Locais de Saúde or ULS) and Oncology Institutes (Institutos Portugueses de Oncologia or IPO) to settle outstanding payments to private suppliers that are more than 60 days overdue. Health Minister Ana Paula Martins stated the measure is intended to ensure the financial sustainability of the public health system.

Health Minister Ana Paula Martins announced that a new regional emergency service (urgência regional) will open in the Setúbal Peninsula on April 15 to improve predictability in care. The announcement followed an incident where a woman gave birth in a hospital parking lot, which the minister cited as evidence that the current model is failing. Martins also admitted that legislative changes are being prepared to reduce waiting times for surgeries, particularly in cardiac specialties.

The National Association of Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis (Associação Nacional dos Doentes com Artrite Reumatoide or A.N.D.A.R.) reports that hospital stock shortages are forcing patients to travel long distances weekly to collect medication. Some patients reportedly travel over 100 kilometers to units like the Hospital Beatriz Ângelo because pharmacies cannot provide multi-month supplies. Those relying on specialized hospital medication should check stock levels with their local unit before traveling.

Health Minister Ana Paula Martins announced that the government will not meet its goal of assigning a family doctor (médico de família) to every resident by 2027. The minister attributed the delay to a complex situation where new registrations for the National Health Service (Serviço Nacional de Saúde or SNS) are occurring daily, outstripping the recruitment of medical staff. Those relying on public healthcare should be aware that the government no longer has a fixed deadline for universal family doctor coverage.