Misericordias exhausts contractual consultations with the state and asks for extension of agreements

The União das Misericórdias Portuguesas (UMP) proposed that the state expand agreements with the social sector after a “cruel demand” for emergencies that exhausted contractual consultations and forced hospitals to ask patients for a symbolic contribution.

“These numbers have increased dramatically and that is why we have proposed to the state to extend these agreements to all Misericordias hospitals and strengthen them, because otherwise the only way to serve people is to force them to pay” a sum of about 20 euros, said UMP President Manuel Lemos in assessing the needs of the Lusa agency in emergency situations in the social sphere.

According to Manuel Lemos, restrictions in the National Health Service forced many patients to go to the emergency departments of Misericordias hospitals, mainly during the Christmas and New Year period, and this demand has been decreasing in recent days.

“We had very significant demand. So it called into question the very agreements that we had,” said Manuel Lemos, adding that the state has an agreement with four hospitals and that the number of consultations under the contract varies from “mercy to mercy,” from 20 thousand to 50 thousand consultations per year.

According to Manuel Lemos, since the “limit” of consultations is running out and “there is no other alternative,” hospitals are asking for “a contribution, although in many cases symbolic for the people.” [cerca de 20 euros] to be able to pay doctors and specialists and make the machine work.”

Manuel Lemos said patients did not stop care because they understood the situation, but stressed that the situation was “somewhat worrying” because the Misericordias did not want people “anywhere in the country” to have to pay “whatever it is.” in their hospitals.

When asked if the UMP has already received any response to the proposal made by the state, Manuel Lemos replied that these are “very complex” issues and that the agreements do not depend solely on the Ministry of Health.

“They have to be seen by the Treasury Department, and that often takes many days,” and with patients at the hospital emergency room doors, he said, “it’s impossible to wait hours, let alone days, and that’s why we’re done.” in some cases, essentially to find a solution.”

According to Manuel Lemos, most users are frail elderly people who cannot wait seven, eight, 10 hours in the emergency room. “We are never more than four hours late, but in any case we think that this is a long time for a frail elderly person who sometimes gets a simple flu, but which can be fatal if he stays there for a long time,” he stressed.

Demand for emergency care at Misericordias hospitals has been declining in recent days, but the official in charge said demand is closely linked to the response capacity of primary health care.

Manuel Lemos stressed that Misericordias has “enormous established potential” in the health sector, but said there is a “strong idea that the answer should only be the public reaction.”

“But the public response, as we see, is not enough,” he said, arguing that the state must realize that what the unfortunate people do and the quality with which they work is “the only way, and it is a very important way.” . , helping people.”