At Chaves Hospital, the CT scan service is currently only handling emergency cases, according to union leader Guadalupe Simões.
These are the initial figures from participation in the strike called by the Portuguese Nurses’ Union (SEP), which began at 8:00 AM and will end at midnight, with overall numbers expected to be released around noon, stated the union representative.
The SEP anticipates strong participation in the strike nationwide: “We wouldn’t say 100%, but very close to that,” said Guadalupe Simões.
The strike will result in postponed consultations and surgeries, a situation that, according to the union leader, should have been foreseen by hospital administrations and the Ministry of Health.
“Given the expected strong participation in the strike, contacts should have been made to reschedule everything that was planned,” which, she noted, “is usually not done.”
“The strike notice deadlines were met, so there was ample time for these contacts to be made,” concluded Guadalupe Simões.
The SEP has called for a protest at 11:00 AM in front of the Ministry of Health in Lisbon, opposing the Collective Work Agreement (ACT) proposal presented by the Government at the end of July.
“The ACT proposal presented by the Ministry of Health aims solely to save money at the expense of nurses’ work by increasing exploitation and facilitating the transfer of public management of Local Health Units to PPPs,” states the SEP in a statement published on their website.
The SEP demands that the Ministry of Health make progress in its proposal, asserting that it will present “proposals and counterproposals” and will be involved in negotiations to enhance the value of all nurses.
“The problem with organizing our work time does not stem from a lack of regulation. It stems from the shortage of nurses, which has worsened due to a lack of hiring, attracting, and retaining nurses and the increasing need for health care by the population,” emphasizes the SEP.
