Waiting time for long-term care network increased in 2022

Date:

Share post:

The time between identifying a patient for the long-term care network and finding a vacancy increased in 2022, when more than 90% of the population lived an hour or less from a point in the network with an inpatient unit.

According to the monitoring data released today by the Health Regulatory Authority (ERS), there was a worsening trend in the median time from identifying the patient to the network (referral) until a vacancy was found, both in the Medium Duration and Rehabilitation Units (UMDR) and in the Long Duration and Maintenance Units (ULDM), in all regions.

At the end of 2022, 1,562 users were waiting for a place in the National Integrated Continued Care Network (RNCCI), 19.24% more than the previous year and 23.09% more than at the end of 2020. The largest number of waiting users was concentrated in the ULDM.

Compared to the previous year, at the end of 2022 the Lisbon and Tagus Valley region was the only one with fewer users waiting for a place in the RNCCI (from 671 to 649 people), but it was still the region with the most users on the waiting list.

The regulator’s data also indicates that, of the users actually admitted in 2022, around 80% lived 60 minutes or less from the respective unit and more than 40% 30 minutes or less.

According to the Monitoring of Access to the National Network of Integrated Continued Care, in the UC (Convalescence Units) and Integrated Continued Care Teams (ECCI) the median waiting time has worsened in most health regions.

The average length of stay exceeded the expected duration for the respective type of hospitalization in most health regions, “which will have an impact on the waiting time until a vacancy is found,” the ERS points out.

Hervé Hubert
Hervé Hubert
Hervé Hubert is a 55-year-old writer and journalist based in Porto, Portugal. Born in France, he brings a unique blend of French and Portuguese perspectives to his work. Education Hervé studied Journalism and Literature at the University of Lyon in France. After completing his studies, he gained valuable experience working with various French media outlets (Portugal France also). Career He worked for several years as a journalist in France before making the move to Portugal. In Porto, he joined the Portugal Pulse team as a staff writer. Skills Hervé specializes in storytelling, investigative journalism, and cultural commentary. He has a flair for capturing complex issues in a relatable way. Personal Life He currently resides in Porto and enjoys the city's rich culture, from Fado music to Francesinha cuisine. Hervé continues to maintain strong ties to his French heritage, often traveling back to France for family visits and cultural exploration. With his unique background and diverse skill set, Hervé Hubert adds a layered, multicultural lens to every story he covers.

Related articles

The Renaissance of Porto’s Jewish Community

By Gabriela Cantergi President of B'nai B'rith Portugal Porto, the epicenter of Jewish life in Portugal, has one of...

More than 3,300 lawyers and solicitors apply to handle immigrant backlogs

At least 3,342 legal professionals have applied to provide services to the State in processing pending immigrant cases,...

New Palestinian Ambassador to Lisbon aims to strengthen relations with Portugal

The new Palestinian Ambassador to Lisbon, Rawan Tarek Sulaiman, stated today in brief remarks to Lusa news agency...

Government points to 34.8% adherence to doctors’ strike

The data provided by the Government are still provisional, according to information given to Lusa by the Ministry...