Latest news and stories about healthcare in Lisboa, Portugal for expats and residents.
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 State always has resources to comfort a former government official or member of parliament. Not for a father who watches his child wither away with cancer, nor for the child who witnesses the slow farewell of their father.
A group of 13 mayors from the Setúbal Peninsula and Lisbon regions have united to oppose the government's plan to centralise gynaecology and obstetrics emergency services. The mayors, who feel ignored by the Minister of Health, are seeking urgent parliamentary intervention to prevent the closure of local units, warning that the move will reduce proximity of care and increase risks for patients, such as longer travel times for expectant mothers. The government maintains that centralisation is a necessary reform to ensure service stability, despite concerns from medical staff regarding increased workloads.
Público highlights this Thursday, March 19, that the Public Prosecution Service criticises the Judiciary Police for delays in investigating corruption crimes, noting that a report on the criminal policy law defining priority investigations for 2023-2025 warns of a shortage of prosecutors, court officials, and experts. The newspaper also reports that there are now deadlines for insurers to disregard cancer history when calculating premiums, with a decree-law establishing a reference grid for various oncological conditions. Additionally, an interview with Francisco César, leader of the PS-Azores, reveals accusations that the PSD is attempting to exclude the PS from the Constitutional Court. Jornal de Notícias reports on a serial rapist targeting dozens of young women in the Greater Porto area. Correio da Manhã focuses on a corruption case involving Christmas lights in Lisbon, alleging 400,000 euros in bribes, with the Judiciary Police monitoring a lunch between the City Council's secretary-general, Alberto Laplaine, and businessmen. Diário de Notícias covers a meeting of 14 mayors from Greater Lisbon to coordinate a joint fight against the closure of emergency services. Negócios reports on the Government's new diesel subsidy.
The DN headline for this Thursday focuses on Health: Fourteen mayors from the Greater Lisbon area meet to coordinate a 'joint fight' against the closure of emergency services. Nine municipalities from the Setúbal Peninsula, four from Lisbon, and one from the Santarém district are meeting in Vila Franca de Xira to discuss the closure of two Gynecology-Obstetrics emergency units and to agree on joint 'strategies'. The mayors guarantee they will do everything possible to have 'the services running again soon'. The main photo features the fortnightly debate with the Prime Minister in Parliament: Montenegro says that labour legislation is essential for the 'yes, we are capable' sentiment. Also highlighted is this week's major film premiere: 'Project Hail Mary' premieres, focusing on a mission to save planet Earth. Download the electronic edition of the newspaper at the link below: See the front page in detail:
Mayors from 14 municipalities across the Setúbal Peninsula and the Vila Franca de Xira region have joined forces to protest the centralisation of obstetrics and gynaecology emergency services. The local leaders argue that closing local emergency units to concentrate resources in larger hospitals, such as Garcia de Orta and Beatriz Ângelo, undermines proximity care and places an unsustainable burden on the remaining facilities. Despite government assurances that these measures are essential for reforming the National Health Service (SNS), the mayors claim they were ignored during initial consultations and are now planning joint strategies to demand the reversal of these closures and the restoration of local healthcare access.
Sandra Cavaca stated that social care beds in nursing homes have increased from 65 to 90 and an “emergency commission” has been created to manage the service until it is possible to stabilise and attract more doctors.
Auxiliary health technicians at Santa Maria Hospital in Lisbon have suspended the strike scheduled for Thursday after the board of directors committed to 'immediately resolving the problems', the union indicated this Wednesday. In a statement, the Union of Workers in Public Functions of the South and Autonomous Regions noted that...
Summoned to the Health Committee, Sandra Cavaca downplayed her lack of experience in hospital management and acknowledged that she accepted the challenge of leading the Amadora-Sintra Local Health Unit in a “scenario of great difficulty”.
The General Inspectorate for Health Activities (IGAS) is to investigate the nationality requirement imposed by the Lisbon Western Local Health Unit (ULSLO) in its recruitment processes. The inspector-general, António Carapeto, confirmed the review after reports that the unit was unlawfully requiring Portuguese nationality for private-law contracts, potentially misleading candidates. Legal experts, including Maria Antónia Beleza, argue that the practice is discriminatory and legally incoherent, as it confuses residency and visa requirements with nationality status, potentially deterring qualified applicants.
The General Inspectorate for Health Activities (IGAS) is to investigate the nationality requirement imposed by the Lisbon Western Local Health Unit (ULSLO) in its recruitment processes. The inspector-general, António Carapeto, confirmed the review after reports that the unit was unlawfully requiring Portuguese nationality for private-law contracts, potentially misleading candidates. Legal experts, including Maria Antónia Beleza, argue that the practice is discriminatory and legally incoherent, as it confuses residency and visa requirements with nationality status, potentially deterring qualified applicants.
The lack of a successor for Luís Neves as Director-General of the Judiciary Police (PJ) is the main topic in the online edition of Expresso this Tuesday, March 17. It was announced on February 21 that he would replace Maria Lúcia Amaral at the Ministry of Internal Administration, and no one has been appointed to his former position yet, which the newspaper reports is causing 'perplexity' and 'concern' within the PJ. Público reports that the PJ has opened nearly 1,400 investigations into sextortion over the last two years, with the majority of victims being men. Jornal de Notícias writes that home auctions have halved in the last seven years, a decline driven by banks due to a reduction in non-performing loans. Correio da Manhã highlights that five ministers—Labour, Economy, Parliamentary Affairs, Justice, and Defence—are required to disclose their client lists to the Transparency Entity, a consequence of the Constitutional Court rejecting the Prime Minister's appeal regarding Spinumviva. CNN Portugal reports that violent WhatsApp conversations have left the school community in Oeiras concerned, involving threats such as 'You were supposed to bring the guns' and 'I'll bring the knives,' along with photos of teachers taken from Teams shared among dozens of students at Quinta do Marquês Secondary School. Diário de Notícias focuses on public transport prices in Lisbon, which are among the highest relative to income, and notes that the Western Lisbon Local Health Unit (ULS) is requiring Portuguese nationality for recruitment competitions, a practice lawyers claim is illegal. Negócios reports that REN anticipates rising energy bills due to fuel costs, with CEO Rodrigo Costa stating that while Portugal is better prepared for energy shocks than in 2022, the market escalation will likely impact gas and electricity prices.
The Lisboa Ocidental Local Health Unit (ULSLO) is facing accusations of illegality for requiring Portuguese nationality in recruitment notices for roles governed by private labour law. Legal experts argue that this requirement is discriminatory and contradicts both the Labour Code and European Union law, potentially deterring foreign candidates. While the health unit claims it follows legal requirements and exceptions, lawyers maintain that the reference to public service laws in private contract procedures is incoherent and unlawful.
The Regional Gynaecology and Obstetrics Emergency department began operating this Monday at Loures hospital. The unit guarantees it has complete teams and rosters.
Anselmo Crespo argues that the new regional emergency department in Loures fails to address the critical, long-term shortage of healthcare professionals causing service closures across Portugal.
The Beatriz Ângelo Hospital in Loures launches the first regional gynaecology and obstetrics emergency department, operating 24/7 to address healthcare staffing shortages.
A new gynaecology and obstetrics referral network is being implemented in Portugal, centralising patient flow to Loures while highlighting critical staffing shortages across multiple regional hospitals.
A new centralised obstetrics and gynaecology emergency unit is set to open at Loures Hospital to address staffing shortages and ensure 24/7 service coverage, despite ongoing challenges in other regions.
The new President took office in Belém, emphasizing the need for national stability while highlighting critical challenges including an ageing population, healthcare and housing deficits, and a slow judicial system.
The SNS executive director announced a new system for handling obstetric emergencies starting on the 16th, where more complex cases will be directed to Loures Hospital, while Vila Franca de Xira will handle less serious cases. The SNS24 line will assess and direct pregnant women to the appropriate services. During a hearing, the director defended the performance of INEM and discussed the impact of funding diversions on emergency services.
Five mayors from municipalities served by the Vila Franca de Xira Hospital are taking action against the closure of emergency services. They plan to submit a petition and send a letter to the Minister of Health to express their outrage over the decision, highlighting concerns about public safety and healthcare access.
Update: Mayors to Address Parliament In addition to a petition, the five mayors will also take their concerns to Parliament, seeking to raise awareness and garner support against the closure of emergency services at the Vila Franca de Xira Hospital.
Ten years ago, Garcia de Orta Hospital in Almada opened the first hospital-at-home unit. Today there are already 50 Local Health Units offering this service — a way of delivering healthcare to 400 patients receiving inpatient care outside the hospital.
Hospital Amadora‑Sintra has flagged inaccuracies in the SNS portal’s reported average emergency department waiting times, calling for corrections and greater transparency while stating the issue does not affect patient care or safety.
Four gynaecology and obstetrics emergency departments have been closed. In Amadora‑Sintra only the gynaecology emergency department is shut; meanwhile the general emergency at Hospital Fernando Fonseca (Amadora‑Sintra) reported a three‑hour wait for patients classed as very urgent as of 20:00, according to the SNS Portal. Santa Maria recorded a two‑and‑a‑half‑hour wait for very urgent cases, and Hospital de Loures topped the waiting‑time list with around three‑hour waits for urgent patients.