The latest report from the Public Finance Council (CFP) on the performance of the National Health Service (SNS) over the past year reveals that the 17.9 million hours of overtime worked in 2024 marked a 5.3% increase compared to 2023.
“However, the cost associated with overtime only rose by 0.12%, totaling 465 million euros,” notes the independent entity responsible for monitoring budgetary compliance and the sustainability of public finances in Portugal.
The document indicates that, of the total overtime hours, 36% were performed by doctors (6.4 million hours), while nurses accounted for 5.6 million hours.
The SNS institutions with the highest volume of overtime were the Local Health Units (ULS) of Coimbra (1.9 million hours), Santa Maria (1.3 million), and São José (1.2 million).
The report attributes the concentration in these three ULS to their provision of a high level of specialized care and clinical services, attracting significantly higher demand in their respective areas of influence.
These three ULS incurred more than 114 million euros in overtime expenses, representing around 25% of the total amount spent on this type of work within the SNS, states the CFP.
Regarding the hiring of medical services to address specialist shortages in the ULS, the report notes a 3.6% increase in the total contracted hours last year, leading to expenditures of nearly 230 million euros, which is 11.7% more than in 2023.
In the past year, 6.3 million hours were contracted, with 5.1 million hours provided by temporary doctors, predominantly in the ULS of Algarve, Médio Tejo, and Arrábida.
The CFP also reported that the average absenteeism rate in SNS entities stood at 12.9%, roughly the same as in 2023.
“Absenteeism is of particular concern due to its impact on expenditure, as it may necessitate temporary hiring and increased reliance on overtime,” the document warns, highlighting higher rates among trainee doctors (17.7%), operational assistants (17%), and nurses (15.3%).
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