“What are the technical and strategic reasons justifying the decision to close the emergency department of Coimbra General Hospital (Covões) and its conversion into a Clinical Care Center?” reads the question directed to the Minister of Health.
In a document sent on Wednesday to Ana Paula Martins, the parliamentary group of Livre in the Assembly underscored that the Coimbra General Hospital has played a fundamental role for decades in providing access to healthcare in the Central region, particularly for the populations of Coimbra and surrounding municipalities.
“Its emergency service, with recognized technical and human capacity, has ensured essential responses in various specialties, contributing decisively to the integrated functioning of the Coimbra Hospital and University Center (CHUC).”
Livre also conveyed the “strong concern” among healthcare professionals, local officials, users, and associations that has been generated in recent weeks due to confirmed reports about the closure of Covões Hospital’s emergency services.
“This concern was confirmed following the formal announcement by the Coimbra Local Health Unit of the decision to close the emergency service and transform it into a Clinical Care Center,” indicated the party.
According to Livre, this decision results in “a serious reduction in the emergency services’ response capacity in the region, with potential impacts on the quality and safety of care provided to the population.”
“What measures are planned to ensure the maintenance of emergency response capacity in the city of Coimbra and in the surrounding municipalities?”
Livre also seeks an explanation from the Government on how it plans to ensure the continued operation of the remaining hospital services and the value of the clinical and nursing teams currently assigned to Covões.
