The Local Health Unit of Almada-Seixal, responsible for the Garcia de Orta Hospital, announced that the September medical schedule for their Gynecology and Obstetrics Emergency Unit is currently being finalized.
In early July, the Health Minister announced that starting September, Garcia de Orta Hospital would offer 24-hour obstetrics emergency services. This extension is achievable with the inclusion of doctors transitioning from the private sector to the National Health Service (SNS).
In an interview, Ana Paula Martins acknowledged that the Setúbal Peninsula presents the most challenges in terms of gynecology and obstetrics services. From September 1, Garcia de Orta Hospital will operate 24 hours a day, facilitated by a medical team formerly in the private sector, which will now join the hospital, she stated. The minister admitted it will take time to stabilize health services in the Setúbal Peninsula.
She explained a team of six obstetrics and gynecology specialists has resigned from their private sector positions and will sign contracts with the SNS. These specialists will supplement the existing team at Garcia de Orta, along with medical interns training at the facility.
Martins further indicated that the creation of regional emergency centers, as outlined in the Government’s Program, requires specific legislation. These will be negotiated with unions in September, as the Government cannot implement the plan without discussing new work structures.
Garcia de Orta Hospital commenced operations in September 1991, replacing the former Misericórdia de Almada District Hospital. It currently serves around 350,000 residents from the Almada and Seixal municipalities.
According to the SNS portal at 14:00 today, four gynecology and obstetrics emergency services will close on Saturday, and three on Sunday. Emergency services at Garcia de Orta Hospital in Almada (Setúbal) and Infante Dom Pedro in Aveiro will be closed both days.
The emergencies at District Hospital of Santarém will be closed only on Saturday, while the obstetrics emergencies at São Francisco Xavier Hospital, Lisbon, will be shut over the weekend. The São Francisco Xavier gynecology services will be on a referral basis from 00:00 to 24:00 over Saturday and Sunday.
For cases referred by the National Institute of Medical Emergencies (INEM) or the SNS 24 hotline, the pediatric emergencies at Amadora-Sintra are scheduled to be operational from 00:00 to 24:00 on both days.
The gynecology and obstetrics emergencies at Vila Franca de Xira Hospital (Lisbon) will be operational from 00:00 to 09:00 on Saturday; Santo André (Leiria) will be available from 00:00 to 24:00 on both days; and São Bernardo (Setúbal) will open from 00:00 to 08:00 on Sunday.
