New model, which is applied in other European Union countries, begins, for now, in the emergencies of Lisbon and Vale do Tagus. If successful, it should be extended to the rest of the country by February.
Starting this Saturday, pregnant women will have to call the before going to the emergency room. A test that had been announced by the Minister of Health in October and which begins, for now, in the emergency rooms of Lisbon and Vale do Tagus. Doctors do not agree and warn that the measure harms the safety of pregnant women.
The Ordinance obliges users to make a phone call prior to entering a Gynecology and Obstetrics emergency, even if they are already in the building, so that, if applicable, they can be referred to a daytime consultation or to the health center or even to another specialty. In addition, it also foresees a reduction in the number of specialists providing care.
Praising the model already applied in other European Union countries, the Ordinance explains that the objectives include reducing the number of doctors allocated daily to Obstetrics and Gynecology emergencies, reducing necessary overtime and increasing the availability of health professionals for other non-urgent essential activities.
Doctors’ unions contest changes
The Independent Doctors’ Union and the National Federation of Doctors are peremptory in their assessment of this Government measure. The unions believe that the working conditions that the Ordinance requires will lead more specialists to want to leave the National Health Service.
These measures are integrated into a pilot project to be applied in the Lisbon and Tagus Valley region, which, if successful, should be extended to the rest of the country in three months.
