A dermatologist at Santa Maria Hospital in Lisbon earned approximately 400,000 euros over ten Saturdays of additional work throughout 2024—averaging 40,000 euros per day—through the SIGIC, the Integrated Management System of Waiting Lists for Surgery, allowing surgeries outside of regular hours to alleviate wait times.
The doctor reportedly earned over 51,000 euros in one day and in 2023, utilized SIGIC to remove benign lesions from relatives.
Santa Maria Hospital’s president, Carlos Martins, assured that any irregularity would have been detected or reported. However, he decided to suspend further surgeries under the additional program starting this Saturday.
“The doctor in question did not earn 400,000 euros in 10 days. That would be impossible. I assure you all alarm bells would go off,” he stated, emphasizing there are “various control points” within a SIGIC.
The hospital president requested an investigation from the Health Inspectorate (IGAS) and initiated an internal audit.
The doctor earned 400,000 euros over ten Saturdays of additional work in 2024.
Notícias ao Minuto | 23:07 – 23/05/2025
IGAS opens inquiry into Santa Maria Hospital
The IGAS launched an inquiry on Monday into the dermatology department at Santa Maria Hospital and will concurrently conduct an audit of 39 local health units across the country and the three Portuguese oncology institutes to assess their control over additional surgical activities, patient classification, and other aspects.
An inquiry into additional surgical activity within the NHS was opened following the case of the dermatologist who allegedly received 51,000 euros in just one day of work at Santa Maria Hospital.
Notícias ao Minuto with Lusa | 14:49 – 26/05/2025
Order of Doctors “sent a letter to ULS Santa Maria requesting explanations”
The president of the Order of Doctors, Carlos Cortes, disclosed that the Order became aware of the situation through CNN Portugal’s report and on Saturday “sent a letter to ULS Santa Maria requesting explanations about the situation”.
“We know this involves several professional classes, not just doctors. Other professionals are also involved, and the Order of Doctors will await the hospital’s response to potentially activate internal mechanisms available for such situations,” he stated.
The head of the Order of Doctors (OM) stated today that they have requested clarification from the local health unit (ULS) Santa Maria in Lisbon regarding the case of the dermatologist who allegedly received 51,000 euros in just one day of work.
Lusa | 18:09 – 26/05/2025
Dermatologist case? “Does not inspire confidence among the Portuguese,” says Health Minister
The Health Minister, Ana Paula Martins, emphasized that “until investigations are conducted, there remains a cloud of suspicion over the institution, in this case, the largest hospital in the country (…) which does not inspire confidence among the Portuguese, especially those waiting on a list for surgery or a consultation“.
Ana Paula Martins also expressed her hope that “responsibilities will be determined, and in a transparent manner, what truly happened will be communicated to the Portuguese public”.
The Health Minister stated today that the case of the dermatologist who allegedly earned 51,000 euros in just one day of work at the Local Health Unit (ULS) Santa Maria in Lisbon “does not inspire confidence among the Portuguese”.
Lusa | 20:34 – 26/05/2025
