Portugal to concentrate orthopedic and traumatology emergency services

Portugal's Minister of Health, Ana Paula Martins, announced plans to concentrate metropolitan and regional emergency services in the fields of Orthopedics and Traumatology, with priority given to the Lisbon and Vale do Tejo region. The minister clarified that this measure is intended to better organize existing services based on technical evidence and patient complexity rather than closing hospital doors.

Additionally, the government is launching a project to monitor low-risk pregnant women through specialist nurses in maternal and obstetric health. This initiative aims to complement medical services and improve coverage in areas with insufficient family medicine doctors.

Regarding hospital operations, Martins reported that the National Health Service (SNS) recorded the lowest number of emergency department closure days in three years through August. There has been a 67% reduction in closure days compared to 2025, totaling 278 days. Obstetric emergency closures also saw a significant decrease, dropping to 255 days through August compared to 1,040 days in 2024. Despite these improvements, the minister noted that challenges remain, including shortages of obstetricians and anesthesiologists.