Latest news and stories about healthcare in government in Porto, Portugal for expats and residents.
The Portuguese Army has launched disciplinary proceedings against Gandra d'Almeida following an IGAS report regarding the accumulation of roles during his tenure as director of INEM North, which also led to his resignation as NHS executive director.
Health Minister Ana Paula Martins has activated the lowest level of contingency plans across hospitals to manage the upcoming ten-day heatwave, while acknowledging ongoing staffing shortages.
An editorial by Sónia Sapage exploring the multifaceted frustrations of Portuguese nurses, including salary concerns, professional status, and systemic workplace issues discussed at the 7th Nurses' Congress.
Infarmed is currently evaluating the potential widespread hospital use of a new cancer drug after previously denying a special authorisation request for a 35-year-old patient.
The recent dispatch signed by Health and Health Management Secretaries has sparked controversy as it paves the way for establishing a Cardiac Surgery Unit at the Local Health Unit (ULS) of Santo António in Porto. This decision has raised questions regarding healthcare policy and resource allocation in the region.
The Secretary of State for Health has signed an order that supports the establishment of a Surgery Unit at Hospital de Santo António, where she has previously worked and maintains connections. This decision highlights the ongoing relationship between healthcare policy and the officials who influence it.
In the past three years, ten patients have tragically died while awaiting heart surgery at Santo António Hospital in Porto, raising serious concerns about the efficiency and safety of the public healthcare system.
The Porto region is set to invest €820,000 in the refurbishment of two health centres. The Vale Formoso Health Unit will receive €526,000 for a four-month renovation, while the Foz Health Centre will be upgraded with an investment of €297,000, expected to take 100 days to complete.
The young man who gathered thousands of signatures for the creation of a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at the IPO in Porto was at the Assembly of the Republic today.
Studies reveal that 85.7% of Family Health Units (USF) have outstanding incentives and that satisfaction with the primary healthcare reform has dropped to 26%. Findings will be presented in Gondomar.
Data are from the report “The Current Moment of the Primary Health Care Reform in Portugal 2025/2026”.
Satisfaction among coordinators of Family Health Units (USF) regarding the reform in Primary Healthcare fell by five percentage points over the last year, from 31.9% to 26%, interrupting an improvement observed since 2022/23.
An opposition councillor says the proposal does not allocate sufficient funds for the construction of new health centres. Pedro Duarte states that this is a problem resulting from the decentralisation process.
For months we have warned about the risk of Law no. 15/2024 affecting exploratory psychotherapy.
This increase in costs threatens the sustainability of the National Network of Integrated Continuing Care itself, says the Faculty of Economics and Management of the University of Porto.
This is admitted by the chief executive of Gul Med Aviation Services. Furthermore, the United Arab Emirates consider that the Flydubai co-pilot did indeed attempt to carry out a terrorist attack on the flight to Tel Aviv.
Based on the accounts of patients he heard at the Olival health centre, Raimundo highlighted that the first people to arrive in the queue showed up around 2:00 am to ensure they could book an appointment.
European standards do not allow for a reversal of the collection system. Also in this news bulletin, mop-up operations continue this morning following the fire in Porto earlier today.
Unavailability of teams leads to the suspension of additional surgeries in Porto. Santo António Local Health Unit is seeking a solution to resume additional surgeries.
Surgeries in additional production, orthopaedics, and neurosurgery at the Santo António Local Health Unit have been suspended, reports the Northern Doctors' Union.
The union demands answers and speaks of the consequences for those who “live in pain”.
Failures in the decentralisation process of PRR management force the Porto municipality to take on a large investment. Pedro Duarte considers it 'fair and appropriate' for the State to support future health projects.
Pedro Xavier argues that the example of São João Hospital proves that with investment it is possible to improve the response in the National Health Service. Requests to the Public Gamete Bank have a waiting time of almost four years.
Correio da Manhã headlines the purchase of new frigates, accusing the Government of hiding the total cost of the deal. According to the newspaper, the Ministries of Defence and Finance are not revealing the interest payments. The front page also highlights Nepal, where the risk of new floods is causing concern, and João Palhinha, who has been called up and may make his debut. Jornal de Notícias focuses on the 38 million euros the State owes to polytechnic institutes. The unfreezing of careers has increased costs, but budgets have not been reinforced, leading institutes to warn of risks to their financial sustainability. JN also reports that the PSP detained over 700 foreigners in its first year of border control. The photograph highlights the traditional paper costume parade of Saint Bartholomew, which once again brought thousands of people together in Porto. Público opens with the NHS: there are about three thousand new nurses, but several hospitals are still unable to hire. The issue lies in delays in approving organizational development plans for 2026, which are necessary to sign permanent contracts. The head of the Nurses' Association accuses the NHS of not authorizing the requests. In politics, Luís Montenegro attended the PSD Summer University without revealing his stance on the State Budget, leaving the opposition to talk to themselves. The photo highlight is Fernando Pimenta, who at 37 has reached 14 world titles and states: 'I am back'. Jornal Económico highlights the prospect of a rise in bread prices amid increasing raw material costs. It also features statements from Castro Almeida, with the minister warning that in the future, 'there will be less money from European funds'. Finally, Jornal de Negócios writes that, despite the context of war and international instability, the energy sector is driving the profits of listed companies to new records. The newspaper also assesses the RRP, which is reaching its final stretch with fewer works than initially planned and a greater emphasis on support directed at companies.
These cases include the São João Hospital in Porto and the Médio Tejo Local Health Unit (ULS).
The President of the Republic felt unwell during his holidays and was hospitalised. Also in this news bulletin, the economic impact of the eclipse and a look at the conflict in the Middle East.
In the hospitals of Penafiel and Matosinhos, more than two-thirds of first appointments do not meet the maximum time limits. Cascais Hospital has the best performance. First appointments are in decline in 2026.
Público reports that the government is preparing to return three more hospitals to the Misericórdias, with the São João da Madeira transfer costing 14 million euros in the first year. The paper also highlights that eight Portuguese influencers visited Israel and Gaza under state guidance, sparking controversy. Meanwhile, Jornal de Notícias notes that toll exemptions on the A41 have failed to reduce traffic on the VCI. Correio da Manhã reports that the Ministry of Education paid 2.65 million euros to a consultancy firm during the exam chaos. CNN Portugal reveals that a valuable Bitcoin wallet seized by the PJ under Luís Neves's leadership mysteriously disappeared after being emptied, with a court now ordering the return of the lost cryptocurrency to the original owners. Other headlines include the government blaming PS/Chega agreements for the lack of further IRS tax cuts, a rise in air conditioning usage, and limited adoption of 'bank of hours' schemes in collective bargaining.
The Pre-Hospital Emergency Technicians Union states that at least 50 incidents went unanswered at the time. Furthermore, the Ministry of Internal Administration feels legitimised to continue performing its duties.
Ana Paula Martins acknowledged the error in the order concerning neuroradiology and interventional cardiology and promised dialogue with scientific societies before publication.
