🏥 Healthcare

Observador7h ago

SNS: Rules may affect medication co-payment

New regulations exclude individuals who have not updated their data or used the National Health Service (SNS) in the last five years, as well as Portuguese citizens residing abroad, from the right to have an assigned family doctor. This update may also impact access to medication co-payments for these groups.

Why it mattersIf you are a resident in Portugal, ensure your contact and registration details are up-to-date with the SNS, as failing to use the service for five years or having outdated information could result in losing your family doctor and potentially your access to subsidized medication.

HealthcareImmigrationRead original ↗

Correio da Manhã8h ago

Northern CODU experienced a two-hour IT failure causing disruptions

The president of the Pre-Hospital Emergency Technicians Union (STEPH) reported that the Northern Dispatch Center (CODU Norte) experienced a system outage from 19:20 to 21:20 yesterday.

Why it mattersIf you needed emergency medical assistance in the North during that timeframe, dispatch services were likely disrupted, highlighting a potential delay in response times for public health emergencies.

Public ServicesHealthcareRead original ↗

Observador8h ago

INEM: Workers' Committee reports unpaid hours to the Minister of Health

The Workers' Committee of the National Institute of Medical Emergency (INEM) has addressed the Minister of Health regarding salary discrepancies. They report that while external trainers are being paid, regular INEM staff are owed thousands of hours of unpaid labor that remain unresolved.

Why it mattersThis dispute over unpaid hours at the national emergency service could impact the stability and efficiency of pre-hospital emergency care that residents rely on.

HealthcareLabor & TaxesRead original ↗

Expresso8h ago

Researchers in Coimbra test gene therapy for Machado-Joseph disease, which has the highest global incidence in the Azores

Researchers at the University of Coimbra are developing and testing a potential gene therapy to halt the progression of Machado-Joseph disease, a genetic disorder for which Portugal—specifically the Azores—records the highest prevalence in the world.

HealthcareRead original ↗

Expresso8h ago

Blood Institute wastes donations

The Portuguese Blood and Transplantation Institute is facing critical shortages while mobile blood collection units are being canceled due to a lack of funding and staff. This operational disruption has limited the ability to maintain adequate national blood reserves.

Why it mattersIf you are a regular donor or need medical procedures, be aware that the availability of blood for the public health system (SNS) may be compromised due to these resource shortages.

HealthcarePublic ServicesRead original ↗

Correio da Manhã12h ago

Socialist Party (PS) regrets that obstetric centers remain 'without visible results'

The opposition Socialist Party criticized the government's progress on specialized obstetric centers, which were initially presented as a structural solution to emergency room constraints. The party argues that the current state of these services demonstrates that the intended improvements have not been achieved.

HealthcareLocal PoliticsRead original ↗

Correio da Manhã13h ago

Workers accuse INEM of silence regarding the regularization of banked hours

Staff at the National Institute for Medical Emergency (INEM) are demanding the regularization of outstanding banked hours, expressing frustration over the administration's alleged prioritization of payments to external trainers over the employees themselves. This ongoing labor dispute highlights internal tensions regarding administrative management and staff compensation.

Why it mattersWhile this is currently an internal dispute, unresolved labor grievances at emergency services can lead to service disruptions or strikes that may affect response times if you need medical assistance.

StrikesPublic ServicesHealthcareRead original ↗

Correio da Manhã13h ago

Court deems prohibition on mutual associations opening pharmacies unconstitutional

The Constitutional Court ruled that the legal barrier preventing mutual associations from opening new social or private pharmacies is unconstitutional. The decision follows an appeal by 'A Familiar de Grijó', an association that challenged the current regulatory framework restricting access for social economy entities.

Why it mattersThis ruling may eventually lead to an increase in the number of pharmacies available to the public, potentially improving access to medications and health services for residents.

HealthcareEconomyRead original ↗

Diário de Notícias13h ago

Waiting lists: Medical Association submits document to the ministry with corrections to the new system

The Portuguese Medical Association (Ordem dos Médicos) has delivered a proposal to the Ministry of Health suggesting adjustments to the recently implemented system for managing patient waiting lists. The initiative aims to address ongoing issues with the current process of managing appointments and surgeries within the National Health Service (SNS).

Why it mattersAs the government works to refine how patient waiting lists are managed, this could eventually lead to changes in how you schedule or are called for medical appointments and procedures within the public health system.

HealthcareRead original ↗

RTP15h ago

São Francisco Xavier obstetrics emergency room to be closed in August

The head of the Medical Association warned that the obstetrics emergency department at Hospital São Francisco Xavier in Lisbon is expected to be closed for the entire month of August. The facility will only provide emergency response when triggered by the national medical emergency service (INEM).

Why it mattersIf you are pregnant or live in the Lisbon area, you will need to identify alternative maternity emergency services for the month of August, as this hospital will not be accepting walk-ins.

HealthcarePublic ServicesRead original ↗

Observador17h ago

Updated prices for continued care remain unpaid

The government signed an agreement in April for a 4.7% increase in funding for the social sector to cover continued care, but social institutions report they have not yet received these funds. These organizations have been covering mandatory salary increases out-of-pocket since January, placing significant financial strain on their operations.

Why it mattersIf you or your family members rely on social sector healthcare or long-term care facilities, the ongoing financial instability of these institutions could impact the quality or availability of services.

HealthcareCost of LivingRead original ↗

Observador18h ago

Amarante Hospital: Government authorizes 14 million euro construction project

The government has approved a 14 million euro project for renovations and construction at the Amarante Hospital. The Tâmega e Sousa Local Health Unit will manage the costs, with completion expected in approximately two years.

HealthcareRead original ↗

CNN Portugal19h ago

New National Health User Registry rules are stripping medication subsidies from many patients

The update to the National Health User Registry (RNU) has resulted in the loss of medication subsidies for many patients. The new rules also exclude Portuguese citizens living abroad who have not used the National Health Service (SNS) in the past five years or who have not updated their family doctor information.

Why it mattersIf you are a resident in Portugal, you may need to verify that your data in the RNU is current to avoid losing your medication subsidies and health benefits.

HealthcareImmigrationRead original ↗

Correio da Manhã20h ago

Do you take weight-loss medication? Beware of hair loss

There are increasing reports of hair loss associated with the use of weight-loss medications such as Mounjaro, Ozempic, and Wegovy.

Why it mattersIf you are currently prescribed or considering these medications for weight loss, be aware of this potential side effect and consult your doctor if you notice changes.

HealthcareRead original ↗

Portugal Resident22h ago

ULS Algarve admits ambulance delays; minister says reports are “absolutely false”

The head of the Algarve Local Health Unit (ULS Algarve) has acknowledged that ambulances are sometimes delayed outside regional hospitals during patient handovers to emergency departments. This admission contrasts with the Minister of Health, who stated that reports of such delays are "absolutely false."

Why it mattersIf you rely on emergency services in the Algarve, you should be aware that systemic delays in patient transfers between ambulances and hospitals may affect the speed of emergency response and local hospital availability.

HealthcareRead original ↗

Correio da Manhã23h ago

Union requests investigation into working conditions at Porto blood center

A union has requested an official investigation into reports of unpaid overtime at the blood center in Porto. The allegations concern physicians allegedly being subjected to uncompensated additional work.

Why it mattersThis report highlights ongoing workplace issues in the public healthcare sector, which may impact service stability for patients in the region.

Labor & TaxesHealthcareRead original ↗

CNN Portugal1d ago

Medical emergency: INEM fleet failures force use of rental cars

The president of the National Institute of Medical Emergency (INEM) has confirmed that rental cars are being used to compensate for an aging fleet that frequently requires maintenance. The union representing emergency workers warns that these vehicles are not properly equipped or marked, potentially creating legal and safety issues during emergency responses.

Why it mattersIf you need to call the national emergency medical service (112/INEM), be aware that temporary operational issues may affect the equipment used by emergency responders in some areas.

HealthcarePublic ServicesRead original ↗

Público1d ago

Health centers demand clarity on care for patients who lost their family doctor

The association representing health centers is concerned that new rules in the National Patient Registry could jeopardize the continuity of care for vulnerable groups, including children, pregnant women, and patients with chronic illnesses. There is uncertainty regarding how these patients will be managed following changes to doctor-patient lists.

Why it mattersIf you are currently without an assigned family doctor, this ongoing policy uncertainty could affect how you access routine care or manage chronic health conditions.

HealthcarePublic ServicesRead original ↗

RTP1d ago

Stretcher retention: hospital beds occupied by 'social cases' clog services

The blockage of hospital gurneys in the Algarve is largely due to beds being occupied by patients who have received medical clearance but remain in the hospital because they lack social support or institutional care options. This 'social case' occupancy prevents hospitals from clearing emergency room stretchers, leading to service delays.

Why it mattersIf you or someone in your family uses the public health service (SNS) in the Algarve, you may face longer waits in emergency rooms due to these systemic capacity issues.

HealthcarePublic ServicesRead original ↗

Expresso1d ago

August brings renewed disruptions to maternity emergency rooms in Greater Lisbon

The São Francisco Xavier Hospital will close its maternity emergency services to the public for the entire month of August. The Amadora-Sintra Hospital will face similar restrictions, with its maternity emergency department closed three days per week.

Why it mattersIf you are pregnant or expecting, these closures mean you must check which hospitals are accepting patients before seeking emergency care in the Greater Lisbon area to avoid being turned away.

HealthcareRead original ↗

Portugal Resident1d ago

Portugal expands organ donation rules to include controlled cardiorespiratory arrest

Portugal is updating its organ donation protocols to allow for retrieval from patients who pass away following controlled cardiorespiratory arrest in intensive care settings. This change is part of an effort to increase the availability of organs for transplant procedures.

HealthcareRead original ↗

CNN Portugal1d ago

Emergency room waiting times and patient abandonment have decreased, says minister

Health Minister Ana Paula Martins stated that waiting times in hospital emergency departments have improved, and fewer patients are leaving without being seen. She attributed this decline to the increased use of the SNS24 helpline for triage, which reportedly reduced emergency room visits by 20% to 40%.

Why it mattersIf you use the public health service (SNS), this indicates potential improvements in emergency room efficiency and underscores the government's push to use the SNS24 line for initial medical guidance before visiting a hospital.

HealthcareRead original ↗

RTP1d ago

Minister of Health expects a calmer summer in emergency rooms

The Minister of Health stated that the government expects a more stable situation in hospital emergency departments during the summer season.

Why it mattersIf you rely on the public health service (SNS), this government forecast suggests you might experience less disruption, though actual conditions may vary by hospital.

HealthcareRead original ↗

RTP1d ago

Santa Casa da Misericórdia may create a self-exclusion mechanism for 'Raspadinha' scratch cards

The institution managing 'Raspadinha' scratch cards is considering a self-exclusion system for players. A University of Minho study indicates that these games affect 100,000 adults in Portugal, with 30,000 exhibiting signs of pathological gambling, particularly among low-income, elderly, and mentally vulnerable populations.

Why it mattersIf you or someone in your household struggles with gambling addiction, this potential mechanism could eventually serve as a tool for financial and personal protection.

Cost of LivingHealthcareRead original ↗

Correio da Manhã1d ago

PS questions Government on removal of emigrants from family doctor lists

The Socialist Party (PS) has formally questioned the Government regarding the reported removal of Portuguese emigrants from public health service (SNS) family doctor lists. They criticize the timing of the decision, noting it coincides with the summer period when many emigrants return to Portugal for temporary stays.

Why it mattersWhile this specifically targets Portuguese emigrants, it highlights potential policy shifts in SNS list management that could impact how residency status or patient registration is handled for those who spend significant time outside the country.

HealthcareLocal PoliticsRead original ↗

Load more (76)