Latest news and stories about medical services in health in Setúbal, Portugal for expats and residents.
The Almada-Seixal Local Health Unit reports it has not received official notification regarding the IGAS inspection into the Garcia de Orta Hospital following the suspension of voluntary pregnancy termination services.
The Portuguese government has mandated that hospitals must ensure timely abortion services and cover associated costs following reports of service disruptions at Garcia de Orta Hospital due to staffing shortages and planning failures.
The Left Bloc has requested an urgent ministerial hearing following the suspension of voluntary pregnancy termination services at Garcia de Orta Hospital, raising concerns that abortion access is becoming a right in name only.
Users in Almada and Seixal report the discontinuation of voluntary pregnancy termination services at Garcia de Orta Hospital, while the local health unit clarifies that the service interruption is only temporary due to staffing shortages.
Barreiro Hospital faces critical emergency department delays, with patients experiencing 17-hour wait times due to severe medical staff shortages.
The Garcia de Orta Hospital in Almada has suspended admissions for new pregnant patients due to a critical shortage of medical staff in the obstetric emergency department.
The Garcia de Orta Hospital in Almada faced temporary emergency department closures due to staffing roster issues and an influx of births, while separate concerns arise over the closure of a Family Health Unit in Alverca due to facility maintenance failures.
A section of a newspaper or publication featuring letters sent by readers to the editor.
A woman in Palmela has died after waiting over an hour for emergency medical assistance, highlighting critical concerns regarding the availability and maintenance of emergency vehicles.
Dozens of citizens gathered at a public forum in Setúbal, organized by the PCP, to protest against the current state of the NHS, citing critical shortages of doctors and the risk of service collapses.
A new regional gynaecology and obstetrics emergency service has launched on the Setúbal Peninsula, operating across the Garcia de Orta and São Bernardo hospitals while relying on a mix of permanent and temporary medical staff.
The Garcia de Orta Hospital faces potential overcrowding and staffing shortages as it becomes a regional hub following the permanent closure of the Barreiro obstetrics emergency department.
A professional network is advocating for fair funding in continuing care units to address critical staffing shortages, with formal recommendations due to the government by June.
The construction of the health unit is a demand spanning over two decades, which was already the subject of a protocol between the State and the City Council in 2009, with an inauguration originally scheduled for 2012.
According to the President of the Medical Association, 30% of the population in the Alentejo Coast region lacks access to primary healthcare. The health unit serving the region has 'about 25 doctors'.
In the Alentejo Coast, 30% of the population lacks support in primary healthcare.
During the walk and run, screening for skin cancer, hypertension, and diabetes prevention will be carried out.
Carlos Cortes recalled the role of INEM in pre-hospital assistance and in responding to urgent and emergency situations.
The General Inspectorate for Health Activities has opened an inspection into the Garcia de Orta Hospital in Almada.
The Almada Seixal Local Health Unit guarantees that it will provide all necessary support and cooperation.
The Board of Directors of the Almada and Seixal Local Health Unit claims the decision is related to a lack of human resources, stressing that it remains hopeful that this measure may be temporary.
This process aims to investigate how the decision to close the unwanted pregnancy clinic was implemented and to evaluate the organisation of care to be provided to women.
The General Inspectorate for Health Activities will carry out an inspection at Garcia de Orta Hospital due to the suspension of voluntary termination of pregnancy services and the redirection of patients to a private clinic in Lisbon.
The process aims to investigate how the decision to close the unwanted pregnancy clinic was implemented and to assess the organisation of care to be provided to women.
The gathering is scheduled for 5:00 PM in front of the Alcochete Health Centre in the Setúbal district, and comes four months after a public forum held near the Samouco health centre.
The General Inspectorate for Health Activities (IGAS) has launched an inspection into Garcia de Orta Hospital following the suspension of its unwanted pregnancy consultation service on 10 August. The investigation, initiated on 27 August by Inspector-General António Carapeto, follows reports of deficiencies in the organisation of care for women seeking voluntary pregnancy termination within the Almada-Seixal Local Health Unit. This marks the fifth such investigation into abortion access in the National Health Service (SNS) since 2023, as the hospital faces criticism for failing to provide clear information to patients after discontinuing its services and email contact channels.
Patient advocacy groups are warning about the suspension of voluntary pregnancy terminations at Garcia de Orta Hospital, which are currently being performed at a private clinic, and are calling for solutions.
The Garcia de Orta Hospital has suspended its unwanted pregnancy consultation service and discontinued the dedicated contact email, yet the Almada-Seixal Local Health Unit (ULSAS) website continues to direct patients to the defunct service. The hospital has failed to clarify the new referral process, which appears to violate Health Regulatory Authority (ERS) guidelines by forcing patients through primary care centers, a practice previously identified as a barrier to legal abortion access.
The Secretary-General of the PCP accuses the Government of viewing abortion services as a 'business opportunity'. User committees have already denounced the situation, and the Local Health Unit (ULS) states it is unable to guarantee timely responses for women.
