Portugal's health system eyes €9.6 bn savings from self‑care as ICU bed capacity trails EU average

A study presented by the Portuguese Pharmaceutical Industry Association (Apifarma) estimates that increased self‑care could avoid up to 40 % of general‑practice consultations, delivering an annual saving of about €9.6 billion – roughly half of which would reduce costs for the National Health Service and the remainder would lower out‑of‑pocket expenses for citizens. The analysis, based on surveys of the public, GPs and community pharmacists, found that 55 % of people already choose self‑care as a first response, resolving symptoms in 79 % of cases while only 1 % subsequently seek a doctor’s visit. It highlights a need for better health‑literacy programmes and expanded access to non‑prescription solutions.

Separate data from a draft national intensive‑care network indicate that Portugal operates 801 active intensive‑care beds (9.74 beds per 100,000 inhabitants), below the EU and OECD average of 10 per 100,000. Regional disparities exist, and 21 beds remain installed but inactive, chiefly because of nursing shortages. The proposal calls for modest expansion – two new units – and for improved regionalisation, referral pathways and real‑time bed‑availability information to optimise critical‑care delivery.