“There is no order to enforce mobility. What is being prepared within the Government (…) is a decree that has to be enacted,” said Ana Paula Martins during her formal hearing at the parliamentary Health Committee today.
The minister emphasized that the decree “will not be enforced” and there will be “negotiation with the unions” before its enactment.
Ana Paula Martins was responding to Chega deputy Rui Cristina, who questioned her about reports from last week in Jornal Expresso, indicating that the obstetrics team at Hospital do Barreiro would be mobilized by order to ensure the emergency shifts at Hospital Garcia de Orta in Almada.
The news indicated that this forced transfer should occur once the Government proceeds with the consolidation of obstetrics emergencies on the southern bank in Almada, as announced in parliament.
At that time, Ana Paula Martins stated that for the concentration of emergency services at Hospital Garcia de Orta, in Almada, with support from Hospital de Setúbal (to receive cases from INEM and SNS 24), seven full teams would be necessary for Hospital Garcia de Orta, and three for service provision.
Today, the Health Minister asserted that “what appears in the press is not true” and stressed that “it is not even a possibility that there won’t be negotiation with the unions.”
Advisors to Ana Paula Martins indicated to Expresso that the order was already with the legal advisors.
“It is true that these professionals have never been compensated for their travels, but this decree [being prepared] is examining a regime that can not only minimize the impact of traveling — when necessary — but also encourage this teamwork a bit, because it is intended not only for doctors but also for nurses and health technicians,” she added.
