Portugal doctors' association flags safety risks in new surgery scheduling system

The Portuguese Medical Association (Ordem dos Médicos) has issued a formal warning about the newly introduced Sistema Nacional de Acesso a Consulta e Cirurgia (SINACC). The association says the system contains errors and omissions that could jeopardise patient access, clinical priority, traceability of care pathways, territorial equity and the sustainability of health teams.

The association’s president, Carlos Cortes, called for a technical‑clinical validation of the system’s tables and nomenclature before it is rolled out nationwide. It recommends a phased implementation with pilot projects, staff training, an operational manual and public monitoring of response times. The association also urges that the system’s reclassification rules and criteria for minor surgery be reviewed to avoid compromising clinical safety and waiting‑list times.