“It is impossible to do more with the current shortage of nurses in the Algarve,” stated SEP leader Guadalupe Simões. She added that the lack of professionals is being compensated by overtime work.
The SEP argues that the Algarve region lacks 1,500 general nurses (currently around 1,400) and approximately 500 specialist nurses (380).
The nurses’ representatives base this estimate on a calculation formula from the Order of Nurses’ regulation on safe staffing, explained Guadalupe Simões.
“With the severe shortage of nurses and other health professionals in the region, it can only be a Christmas wish!” remarked the SEP in response to the Minister of Health’s statement that “she believes the Algarve is prepared” for the winter.
Ana Paula Martins began a tour of local health units across the country on Monday, starting with a visit to the Hospital de Portimão in the Algarve, as part of the National Health Service (SNS) preparation for the winter season.
According to the SEP, “the shortage situation has been exacerbated by the absence of retention measures, and the admissions that have occurred fall far short of the needs.”
Regarding retention measures, the union criticizes the Minister of Health for not directing the administration of the Algarve Local Health Unit (ULS) to pay retroactive payments from 2018 to December 2021 and for not allowing the opening of competitions for the positions of specialist and manager nurses, “stalling professional development expectations.”
Guadalupe Simões also laments that Ana Paula Martins ignores the lack of professionals, particularly nurses in primary health care, whose presence, according to the minister, could alleviate the overload in hospital emergency services.
