The Inspectorate-General for Health Activities (IGAS) will investigate the case of an Alzheimer’s patient who escaped in April from the emergency department of the Vila Franca de Xira Hospital, the institution announced today.
In a statement published on its website, IGAS noted that by order of the inspector-general on June 18, an investigation was launched to clarify the circumstances under which the patient fled from the emergency department at Vila Franca de Xira Hospital, part of the Estuary of the Tagus Local Health Unit, on April 8.
At the time, the media reported that the elderly man disappeared from the Observation Service (SO) of the General Emergency Department of the Vila Franca de Xira Hospital and was found several hours later near Arruda dos Vinhos, after alerts were made to the PSP and GNR.
The administration of the Tagus Estuary Local Health Unit, which manages the Vila Franca de Xira Hospital, expressed regret over the incident and revealed that an inquiry had been opened to determine what exactly happened.
According to the newspaper Público, the Health Regulatory Entity (ERS) also initiated an assessment process concerning the assistance provided to this 74-year-old patient.
The family announced that the father had been found and thanked everyone who shared the alert about his disappearance.
Andrea Pinto | 15:04 – 09/04/2025
