Portugal's pediatric inter‑hospital ambulance service faces legal uncertainty

The Portuguese Pre‑Hospital Emergency Technicians Union (STEPH) warned that the new decree governing inter‑hospital transport of critically ill patients eliminates the legal framework for dedicated pediatric transport ambulances (TIP) that operate in Lisbon, Porto, Coimbra and Faro. The decree, published on 5 May 2026, revokes the 2013 regulation that created these specialist units and replaces it with a uniform model managed by the National Emergency Medical Institute (INEM).

STEPH said the change was made without providing an alternative solution and could jeopardise urgent transport for children, calling the measure “deeply concerning” and potentially “tragic”. INEM responded that the pediatric ambulances, equipped with incubators and ventilators, will continue to operate under the Integrated Medical Emergency System (SIEM) and that transport will now be coordinated through INEM’s Centre for Urgent Patient Orientation (CODU), which will assess clinical urgency and allocate appropriate resources.

The union has requested clarification from the Ministry of Health, while INEM affirmed the new rules aim to simplify and accelerate critical patient transfers across the National Health Service network.