Efforts are underway to recruit physicians for Portugal’s National Health Service (SNS) through a strategic plan consisting of 20 measures spread across five key areas. Carlos Cortes, the head of the Portuguese Medical Association (OM), revealed these plans in response to a report that addresses the government’s strategy to relocate doctors from 12 hospitals.
“Annually, we see between 800 and 900 doctors emigrating. Thousands are abroad, and I am fully aware that many wish to return to the SNS,” he stated.
To attract these professionals back, Cortes advocated for a collaborative action plan involving the OM, the Ministries of Health and Foreign Affairs, and Portuguese embassies.
Cortes detailed that the plan involves identifying medical practitioners working abroad and maintaining continuous communication channels to update them on recruitment needs, particularly in medically underserved areas.
“The goal is for doctors to learn about these measures and benefit from them, which is currently lacking,” he highlighted.
The OM also recommends establishing a “return guide,” a resource compiling all necessary information, including regulations and procedures, for doctors considering a return to the SNS.
“Returning to Portugal is challenging, as shared by various colleagues abroad. It should not be a hardship to return to the National Health Service,” Cortes lamented.
He emphasized the importance of not missing this opportunity to reintegrate physicians eager to come back, suggesting the creation of “exceptional conditions” and incentives to facilitate their return.
In response to a report about reorganizing acute care for pregnant women in the SNS, which includes moving teams across at least 12 maternity units, Cortes mentioned he had not received any official communication on this matter.
However, he asserted that there should be no forced relocations of professionals, advocating for dialogue and collaboration to find optimal solutions, warning that failing this could lead to doctors leaving the SNS.
“Experience shows us that when actions are enforced, particularly with doctors, they rarely succeed. I want successful outcomes in maternity services across the Peninsula of Setúbal,” he noted, expressing concerns.
Cortes pointed out that Garcia de Orta Hospital in Almada is highly specialized, with unique capabilities to support pregnant women, as is Setúbal.
“Setúbal has a significant southern area of influence that is underserved,” he said, urging for case-by-case analysis and decision-making in collaboration with on-the-ground professionals.
The Medical Association remains open to discussions, but Cortes cautioned against making repeated, ineffective public announcements. “What we cannot do—as has happened in the Peninsula of Setúbal—is make sensational announcements every two weeks, each time concluding the previous one was a failure.”
“I do not seek to move from one failure to another. I aim for a sustainable, consolidated, and robust solution that, when implemented, will be a true success,” he concluded.
