Latest news and stories about healthcare 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.
The president of ICAD has announced the launch of a new day hospital in Porto on June 1st, dedicated to intensive alcohol treatment, following the opening of a similar facility in Lisbon this past April.
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.
At six years old, Rafael uses music to express what words cannot reach. However, the success of music therapy is hindered by the lack of legal status and professional recognition.
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.
An analysis of the medical residency program at S. João Hospital and a critique of the populist political response to the closure of emergency services at Barreiro Hospital.
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.
All overtime orthopaedic and neurosurgery operations have been suspended at the Santo António Hospital in Porto.
The parliamentary sessions of the Iniciativa Liberal (IL) party in Porto began with criticism of the PSD, Chega, and PS, whom Mário Amorim Lopes described as a 'majority of obstructionists' hindering Portugal's development. The parliamentary leader argued that while the PS refuses to reform, Chega fears losing votes, and the PSD delays reforms until after elections, the IL remains the only party committed to a future-oriented vision. Amorim Lopes labelled these parties as 'nation-obstructors' who are either satisfied with the status quo or lack ambition. The sessions, which focus on State and Fiscal Reform, also included a visit to the Hospital São João de Deus to discuss the party's proposals for the National Health Service.
The Local Health Unit (ULS) acknowledges that the change in the calculation rules for team remuneration has a particular impact on scoliosis and other spinal disease surgeries. The impasse has lasted for more than two months.
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.
RTP journalist Paula Rebelo was awarded the Second Journalism Prize by the Portuguese League Against Cancer.
Unilabs has completed its Integrated Diagnostic Centre in the Fluvial area of Porto with the inauguration of a new Nuclear Medicine department, following a total investment of over 10 million euros. The facility is heavily integrated with the public sector, with 85% of exams performed for National Health Service (SNS) patients. The new unit provides PET-CT and scintigraphy services for oncology, cardiology, and other specialties. The 4,000-square-metre centre combines 40 medical specialties, AI-enhanced imaging technology, and an on-site pharmacy, aiming to serve up to 1,000 patients daily in partnership with the TRUST Fluvial clinic.
The answer is: “it depends”. It can arise due to the tumour or result from aggressive treatments. But it should not be lived in silence. Learn about some solutions to minimise oncological pain.
Dementia affects nearly 240,000 Portuguese people, and population ageing does not explain everything. Factors such as hypertension, diabetes and physical inactivity play a central role in the onset of neurodegenerative diseases. Researchers from the University of Porto conducted a study to 'facilitate the identification of a risk profile'.
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.
Público reports this Saturday, August 29, that 160,000 patients registered with the National Health Service (SNS) have lost their right to a family doctor. The newspaper explains that new rules for the National Patient Registry change the calculation method, reducing the number of patients without a doctor by classifying them as 'ineligible' if they live abroad or have not contacted the SNS in the last five years. The paper also discusses students who achieved a perfect score of 20, noting that their common traits are family support and time management. Jornal de Notícias highlights that Porto will more than triple its number of hotels compared to 2018, growing from 99 units eight years ago to 217 currently, with 112 projects in progress that will bring the total to 329. Correio da Manhã reports that the war has increased the price of a litre of diesel by more than 40 cents. In sports, Record and A Bola highlight Sporting's 4-0 victory over Rio Ave and report that left-back El Karouani is close to joining Benfica. O Jogo focuses on the FC Porto coach's comments during Friday's press conference ahead of the match against Ac. Viseu: 'We must go in with the right mentality'.
The 4th edition covers 3.5 km along the Porto riverside. In 2024, nearly 4,400 new cases of leukaemia and lymphoma were diagnosed in Portugal.
The initiative by the São João Local Health Unit in Porto is part of a strategy to humanise healthcare.
The São João Hospital in Porto is a pioneer in Portugal for performing blood transfusions outside of a hospital setting. The unit's Medical Emergency and Resuscitation Vehicle is bringing blood to victims of severe trauma directly at the scene of the accident.
The São João Hospital in Porto is a pioneer in Portugal for performing blood transfusions outside the hospital setting. The unit's Medical Emergency and Resuscitation Vehicle is bringing blood to victims of severe trauma directly at the scene of the accident.
