The Inspectorate-General for Health Activities (IGAS) has launched an investigation into the additional surgical activities conducted within the National Health Service (SNS), following allegations that a dermatologist received €51,000 in a single day. This case has sparked widespread concern over the management and ethics of additional surgical work in public hospitals.
Details of the Investigation
IGAS has initiated an audit focusing on the surgical activities performed as additional work and the classification of patients into Homogeneous Diagnostic Groups (GDH) at the Dermatology Service of the Santa Maria Local Unit from 2021 to the present. This move comes after reports surfaced about a dermatologist at Hospital Santa Maria allegedly earning €400,000 over 10 Saturdays of additional work in 2024, including performing benign lesion removals on his parents.
The SIGIC System Under Scrutiny
At the heart of the controversy is the Integrated Management System for Surgical Inpatients (SIGIC), designed to reduce waiting lists by allowing surgeries outside regular hours. However, the system's transparency and accountability are now being questioned.
IGAS's Response
Carlos Martins, President of the Santa Maria Local Unit's Board of Directors, reported a potential irregularity in the Dermatology Service's additional surgical activities to IGAS last Wednesday. In response, IGAS has not only opened an inquiry into the Santa Maria Hospital's Dermatology Service but also announced a comprehensive audit across 39 Local Health Units and three Portuguese Oncology Institutes. This audit aims to evaluate the proportion of additional surgical work compared to regular activities and assess the mechanisms controlling such additional work.
Next Steps
The audit will first target 10 selected Local Health Units, chosen based on indicators of additional surgical activities versus regular operations. This step is crucial to ensure fair practices and proper use of public funds in the healthcare system.
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