SNS CEO wants more data to evaluate local health centre reform

The NHS chief executive admitted on Wednesday he needed data to assess the reform of local health departments and understand the adjustments needed, and promised to recruit the “best people possible” to boards.

“It has been a huge transformation (…), but without understanding how it is happening, it is very difficult to assess what will happen,” said António Gandra D’Almeida, who was heard this Wednesday by the Parliamentary Committee on Health, in response to a question from the PS, on social hospitalizations.

Asked about the reform of the local health units (ULS), he said it was necessary to collect data, giving the system time to “adapt to new realities” and “integrate different services”, from primary care to hospital structures.

“Of course there will be areas for improvement,” the official acknowledged, adding: “We are on the side of the solution.”

Regarding the difficulties highlighted by mayors who felt excluded from the reform, he said that even after taking office two weeks ago, he had already visited some ULSs and believed that local authorities were “fundamental” and “part of the solution because they understand the problems at the local level.”

“Every [das ULS] has its own peculiarity. The ULS in Alentejo is different from the ULS in the north. Each has its own peculiarities,” he said, adding that “it is necessary to analyze not only the figures, but also the local needs and realities.”

The SNS executive director was also questioned by Liberal Initiative MP Mario Amorim Lopes about the recruitment to the ULS board of directors – after the health minister said there was “weak leadership” – assuring that the strategy was to “place the most competent people.”

“And that’s what we’re going to do,” he added.