The number of complaints related to hospital emergency departments soared by 90% from January to August this year compared to the same period last year, with the Obstetrics service accounting for “the highest volume of complaints in emergency scenarios, accounting for 31% of reported cases”.
An analysis from the Portal da Queixa reveals that “almost 3,500 complaints were recorded within the health sector, with 1,800 complaints specifically related to hospital emergency services”.
This analysis covers the period from the beginning of January to August 17.
“The data show that in the first half of 2025, the increase in the number of complaints was quite significant, with growth exceeding 53% compared to the same period in 2024, and the months of May and June showed peaks of increase exceeding 80%,” experts detailed.
The report further states that “the most significant highlight is related to hospital emergency services, where there is an increase of nearly 91% compared to the first half of the previous year”.
In terms of emergencies, “the highest monthly increases were also in May and June with percentages over 131%”.
Reasons for the Complaints
The analysis details the reasons why users have complained so far: “The user’s dissatisfaction with emergency services stems from reasons involving poor service (36.62% of complaints), lack of communication (22.14%), inappropriate charges (15.80%), safety and quality of services (10.74%), and excessive waiting times and failure to meet deadlines (9.25%).”
In addition to Obstetrics leading with 31% of complaints, it is followed by Gynecology with 10% and Pediatrics with 8%.
“The analysis determined that hospitals in the public and private sectors, particularly in Lisbon, Porto, Setúbal, Aveiro, and Braga, are the most complained about, reflecting the gravity of the situation in densely populated regions”, the report states.
However, it is within the National Health Service that the highest percentage of complaints in emergency services is concentrated (24%). According to data from the Portal da Queixa, the following entities are CUF (17.61%); Lusíadas Saúde (11.44%); Hospital da Luz (7.67%); and Trofa Saúde (4.22%), all in the private sector.
The ongoing emergency crisis, which has persisted over time, continues, with moments where the Ministry of Health is often criticized. Births in ambulances have also been widely reported this year.
“This year, 56 births have been recorded in ambulances or outside the home (the most recent, occurred on a street in Carregado), and currently, the SNS only has half of the necessary obstetricians to ensure all emergencies which have become rotational,” the analysis notes.
