# Portugal emergency medical service developments > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/portugal-emergency-medical-service-developments > Updated: 2026-09-30T18:10:27.000Z. Sources: 12. Developments: 2. Portugal is implementing structural changes and expansions to its emergency medical services. Health Minister Ana Paula Martins announced plans to concentrate orthopedic and traumatology emergency services, particularly in the Lisbon and Vale do Tejo region, to better organize services based on technical evidence and patient complexity. While the National Health Service reported a significant reduction in emergency department and obstetric closure days compared to previous years, the government is also addressing service gaps through new initiatives. These include monitoring low-risk pregnant women via specialist nurses and expanding physical response capabilities. Recent developments include the launch of a Medical Emergency Post in Merceana as part of a nationwide rollout of 44 new posts, and ongoing plans to install a Medical Emergency and Resuscitation Vehicle in Mirandela to improve pre-hospital care in the Trás-os-Montes territory. ## Timeline ### 2026-09-30: Portugal expands emergency medical response capabilities Portugal is strengthening its emergency medical services with a new Medical Emergency Post in Merceana and ongoing efforts to establish a specialized medical vehicle (VMER) in Mirandela. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/portugal-expands-emergency-medical-response-capabilities ### 2026-09-22: Portugal to concentrate orthopedic and traumatology emergency services Portugal's Health Minister announced the concentration of orthopedic and traumatology emergency services and reported a 67% reduction in SNS emergency department closures compared to 2025. 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/portugal-to-concentrate-orthopedic-and-traumatology-emergency-services --- Cite as: Portugal emergency medical service developments. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/portugal-emergency-medical-service-developments