Latest news and stories about medical services in Setúbal, Portugal for expats and residents.
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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.
Two inquiries opened by the IGAS into deaths recorded in January are stalled: one is awaiting an autopsy report, the other is waiting for a medical document.
The Setúbal Peninsula Regional Emergency Department is handling more daily visits than the region's three emergency units combined last year.
There are dozens of medical emergency vehicles that are out of service due to a lack of personnel.
A woman died in Palmela after waiting more than an hour for emergency medical assistance.
A woman passed away in Palmela following a delay of over an hour for the arrival of an emergency medical response unit.
The STEPH warns of dozens of ambulances in workshops without replacements. On Wednesday, the only INEM ambulance in Setúbal broke down — and the one requested from Pombal did as well.
The call to the emergency dispatch centre was made at 14:45 and the Medical Emergency and Resuscitation Vehicle only arrived at the scene at 15:52, more than an hour later.
The two abandoned French children have been medically discharged but are expected to remain at the hospital in Setúbal, where they received medical care, until the “legal procedures are resolved,” reports Sofia Garcia, a CNN Portugal reporter.
The ULSAS Fertility Centre, which has recorded pregnancy rates per embryo transfer of over 40%, is the only public centre south of the Tagus authorised to provide medically assisted reproduction techniques.
However, the ministry also highlights that there is openness to negotiate the proposal in parliament. Furthermore, the two children found alone in Alcácer do Sal were examined at the hospital in Setúbal.
There were no resources available to send immediately to the scene. The CM contacted the Trafaria Fire Department regarding the delay in assistance, but they declined to provide any clarification.
There were no resources available to send immediately to the scene. The CM contacted the Trafaria Fire Department regarding the delay in assistance, but they declined to provide any clarification.
Four of the cases occurred on the South Bank, where ambulances were unavailable. All should have been assisted within 18 minutes, but firefighters were called more than an hour later. INEM says it will investigate.
The Setúbal Peninsula recorded the highest rate of access constraints to obstetric and gynaecological emergency services, with limitations on 76.2% of days, significantly above the national average of 15.3%. Data from the Health Regulatory Authority (ERS) highlights that while the region has a high ratio of delivery rooms, it suffers from reduced effective medical capacity. The report also notes a concerning increase in births occurring in ambulances due to frequent service closures.
The use of Obstetrics and Gynaecology emergency services is highest in the Centre, Greater Lisbon, and Algarve regions, while the Setúbal Peninsula records the greatest access constraints, with 76.2% of days experiencing limitations, well above the national average of 15.3%.
It records the highest access constraints, with 76.2% of days experiencing limitations, well above the national average of 15.3%
Regarding total closures, the Setúbal Peninsula stands out again, with emergency services closed on 34.9% of days.
The Health Regulatory Authority, which analysed the period between October 2024 and November 2025, states that constraints resulting from provider limitations “are reflected in effective restrictions on access”.
At the Centre for Medicine and Rehabilitation of the South, patients with sequelae caused by road accidents are arriving one after another. There are 40 waiting for treatment, in the same week that changes to the Highway Code were announced.
Opposing what they consider to be the disinvestment being made by the Government in the National Health Service, a new manifesto from 12 public service user committees of the Setúbal Peninsula will reach the Minister of Health's desk this Friday.
The gynaecology/obstetrics team is 80% composed of professionals from the Almada and Barreiro hospitals and continues to rely on temporary doctors.
ASPE warns of the transfer of specialists without formal notification and accuses the NHS of effectively closing the Barreiro obstetric emergency department, contradicting statements made by the Minister of Health.
According to the association, these reassignments are already included in the April rosters, without any individual notification or formal framework having taken place.
Ferreira stated that the Barreiro municipality does not accept this decision and will continue to make efforts to reverse it.
