Emergency Services Disruptions Over Easter Weekend
As Easter approaches, the situation concerning emergency services in the Lisbon and Tejo Valley region appears dire. This coming Saturday, six emergency departments are expected to close, followed by ten closures on Easter Sunday, particularly affecting gynecology/obstetrics and pediatrics.
In a statement to PÚBLICO, the Executive Directorate of the SNS (National Health Service) mentioned that they are in constant communication with Local Health Units (ULS) to coordinate urgent healthcare responses. They are working to reduce service disruptions, which currently affect 6% of the approximately 170 emergency services in the SNS network.
Specific Closures
On Friday, gynecology/obstetrics units at Amadora-Sintra and Garcia de Orta (Almada) will be closed, alongside the pediatric emergency at Hospital de Vila Franca de Xira, although the latter plans to operate from 9 AM to 8 PM.
On Saturday, the closures will escalate to six, impacting gynecology/obstetrics departments at Garcia de Orta, Amadora-Sintra, Vila Franca de Xira, and Barreiro, along with pediatric services at Hospital de Vila Franca de Xira and Hospital de Loures.
Easter Sunday Challenges
The situation becomes more critical on Easter Sunday, with ten services closing, including gynecology/obstetrics at Garcia de Orta, Amadora-Sintra, Barreiro (nighttime), Setúbal, Vila Franca de Xira, Santarém (daytime), and Abrantes. Pediatric emergencies in Vila Franca de Xira, Loures, and Torres Vedras will also be affected.
On Monday, April 21, the outlook improves slightly, with four gynecology/obstetrics services facing constraints.
Ongoing Issues
The persistent closure of emergency services, particularly in the Lisbon metropolitan area, has been a constant issue over the past two years, primarily due to a shortage of medical professionals. This shortage is particularly noticeable in gynecology/obstetrics, where many professionals work outside the SNS.
Long weekends and holiday periods typically exacerbate these challenges, leading hospitals to rely on contracted services to fill shifts. The SNS Executive Directorate acknowledged the ongoing issue and is working on a multidimensional solution to attract more specialists to ULS experiencing difficulties.
Innovations and Future Plans
In response to these challenges, the SNS has introduced changes, such as the 'Call Before You Go, Save Lives' project, aimed at increasing accessibility and reducing wait times in emergency services. Furthermore, the Ministry of Health is advancing pilot projects for referenced access to 16 gynecology/obstetrics and pediatric emergencies, which require patients to first call SNS 24 for guidance.
The referenced access initiative, which began in Lisbon and nearby regions, will soon be expanded nationwide. The Ministry aims to improve service access and efficiency, particularly in light of the ongoing medical staffing crisis.
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