“We are not concerned with the popularity of decisions, but with the effect and consequences they have. The effect and consequence are that we need to find a solution for gynecology and obstetrics emergencies throughout the territory and for the Setúbal Peninsula,” stated the Prime Minister today, during a visit to Porto.
Luís Montenegro was responding to questions about the potential departure of doctors from the National Health Service (SNS) after the Minister of Health announced on Wednesday the creation of a regional obstetrics emergency unit in the Setúbal Peninsula with the Garcia de Orta Hospital in Almada operating permanently, which would require the relocation of some professionals.
“We are working with the utmost priority to ensure that the entire country has a response, particularly in the area of gynecology and obstetrics in terms of emergencies,” the Prime Minister replied today, noting that “the vast majority of the country has not had problems in this area.”
Believing that it is necessary to take “very specific measures to provide a response and reassure families in that region [Setúbal],” Luís Montenegro stated that, “without entering into a process that is currently being conducted to reach a consensus and find the best solution,” the Government must “fulfill its responsibility.”
“We need to have an answer. And therefore, we must make every effort to ensure equal conditions throughout the territory (…) I think the Portuguese understand that we have to exhaust all possibilities to find a solution,” he declared.
On Wednesday, the Minister of Health mentioned that to create a regional obstetrics emergency in the Setúbal Peninsula, negotiations with unions and discussions with the Orders of Doctors and Nurses are necessary, as the Government has already prepared the legislation.
Ana Paula Martins emphasized the medical working hours required to ensure the permanent operation of the country’s 39 emergency services.
The official explained that for the creation of this regional emergency unit in Garcia de Orta Hospital, seven complete teams and three task-focused teams will be needed, and for that, a “contract model with more commitments” must be found.
“We are legislating in this regard, as well as to have remuneration supplements associated with the mobility of these professionals,” she stated, noting that a “contract model” needs to be discussed with the unions.
According to the minister, the mobility of professionals will impact their lives, and as such, they must have “all the conditions.”
“A doctor, a nurse, a technician, entire teams, working in Setúbal, when they have to relocate to come to Garcia de Orta Hospital, their lives are affected, like any of us who has to change their routine,” she explained.
“They will have all the conditions, but they have to go to another place. And we have to be able also to have empathy for these situations and essentially tell them: your mission is there, but you will not earn less than those who are at your side and who provide service per task, even though they are also very important for us at this moment,” she emphasized.
