Healthcare

Nearly half of first specialist consultations exceeded recommended wait times

A report by the Health Regulatory Authority (ERS) covering the first half of 2026 found that 49.7% of initial specialist consultations in the SNS (excluding oncology and cardiology) were performed beyond the recommended time limits. As of late June, over 1.19 million patients were waiting for a first specialist appointment, with 59.8% of these individuals already exceeding the recommended wait time.

Why it matters

If you are a patient in the SNS waiting for a specialist consultation or surgery, this data indicates a high probability of experiencing significant delays beyond the clinical recommendations.

CNN Portugal· 1d agoRead original ↗

Useful?

This update is from Bica

Your quick shot of what's changing in Portugal and affecting your status, your home, your money, and whatever might disrupt your day. Short and clear updates, gathered from Portuguese sources.

It's free, with no signup and no app to download.

Read today’s briefing

More on Healthcare

Healthcare

Burn-related hospitalizations of children rose 35% this year at Hospital D. Estefânia

Between January and October 2026, 97 children were hospitalized at Hospital D. Estefânia due to burns, a 35% increase compared to the same period in 2025. Approximately 68% of these cases involved children under four years old, with 85% of injuries caused by hot liquids, primarily occurring in domestic settings.

RTP· 1h agoRead original ↗

Useful?

Healthcare

Diagnostic and therapeutic technician strike on November 19 and 20

Diagnostic and therapeutic technicians have called for a strike on 19 and 20 November to demand career progression and valuation. On 19 November, protesters plan to gather near the Prime Minister's official residence in Lisbon.

RTP· 4h agoRead original ↗

Useful?

Healthcare

SNS: Fernando Araújo criticizes waiting times and points to broken government promise as oncology surgery patients rise by 11%

Former SNS executive director Fernando Araújo reports that the number of patients waiting for a first hospital consultation has increased by approximately 50% in two years, reaching over 1.22 million by mid-2026. He specifically highlights that waitlists for oncology surgeries have grown by 11% compared to two years ago, with 1,586 cancer patients currently exceeding the legal maximum response time as of 30 June.

Observador· 4h agoRead original ↗

Useful?

Practical alerts

Media-reported alerts

Diagnostic and therapeutic technician strike on November 19 and 20 · RTP · 4h ago
Strike closes schools, health centers and affects surgeries · Correio da Manhã · 13h ago
Power cuts planned across 11 areas of Portugal · The Portugal News · 1d ago
Rail service suspended on the Douro Line between Marco and Régua from November to March · Correio da Manhã · 3w ago
Banking union reschedules protests · Observador · 3w ago

See all live official alerts

About Bica

Your quick shot of what's changing in Portugal and affecting your status, your home, your money, and whatever might disrupt your day. Short and clear updates, gathered from Portuguese sources.

It's free, with no signup and no app to download.

More about Bica →

Feedback and corrections are welcome: hello@bica.now