Gathered in a WhatsApp group, these temporary doctors intend to halt the National Health Service (SNS) emergencies for at least three days, as revealed by a meeting record from last week.
The professionals express feeling “ostracized” and “excluded from decisions” and are reportedly ready to advocate “without fear or hesitation” for the appreciation of temporary workers.
A meeting held on October 30 by the so-called “board of representatives of Portuguese temporary workers” outlined that the protest will be “formalized through an email sent by all temporary doctors to their respective service directors or management boards,” using a template crafted by one group member.
The date and duration of the protest are yet to be determined, according to one of the participating doctors.
“Successive Health Ministries have treated us as second-class doctors, ignoring the value, sacrifice, and dedication of those who ensure the front line of hospital emergencies,” states the document.
These doctors further express feeling “ostracized, undervalued, and excluded from decisions shaping the future of the medical profession in Portugal.”
This initiative follows the Council of Ministers’ approval on the 22nd of the decree-law regulating the hiring of temporary workers for the SNS.
The text of the legislation is still unknown, but it was presented to medical unions during negotiations.
According to the information reported so far, the new law is expected to prevent doctors from leaving the SNS (by terminating the work contract or retirement) to become temporary workers, imposing a waiting period of up to three years.
Newly certified specialists who do not apply for placements or who do not sign a contract despite securing a vacancy will also be restricted from working as service providers for the SNS for a period.
The decree-law will include exceptions for duly justified proposals from Local Health Units (ULS) to ensure patient care is not compromised.
