Bolheiro confirms dismissal of hospital directors, but guarantees scope of emergency aid

The president of the Azores government confirmed this Wednesday the resignation of 10 heads of emergency services at the Ponta Delgada hospital, but guaranteed that the “emergency schedules of the three hospitals” would be met next week.

At a press conference at the Palacio de Sant’Ana, headquarters of the Presidium of the Regional Government, in Ponta Delgada, José Manuel Boleiro announced that a “minutes of negotiation” had been opened with the medical unions due to the demands of professionals, namely regarding overtime, and added that the boards of directors of three hospitals in the region (Ponta Delgada, Horta and Angra do Heroismo) had enforced emergency schedules “from the first week of December”.

“Heads of emergency services [do hospital de Ponta Delgada] Until now, we didn’t know about the situation. [início de um protocolo negocial e escalas de urgência asseguradas]🇧🇷 They will be responsible for some emptiness [nas escalas]🇧🇷 I hope they will naturally calm down, even because of their already demonstrated sense of responsibility, when it is verified that the scale is not empty,” said José Manuel Boleiru, head of the PSD/CDS-PP/PPM coalition.

Regarding the minutes of the talks, opened on Tuesday at the meeting of the chief executive and the unions, Boleiro explained that it would be “comprehensive”, including several issues, and added that the first round of talks is scheduled for Wednesday, December 7th. at 10:30 am in Terceira Island, in the office of the Regional Secretary of Health, and should now serve to define the “calendar and themes”.

In this Wednesday edition, the daily newspaper Açoriano Oriental writes that 10 emergency team leaders of the hospital do Divino Espirito Santo (HDES) in Ponta delgada have “resigned” as they considered “the minimum conditions for this to be the best care”. provided to users” who resort to the urgency of this medical institution.

Two weeks ago, about 400 doctors (191 doctors from the Hospital do Divino Espírito Santo) declared themselves unable to work more than 150 hours of overtime, as required by law.

Boleiro said this Wednesday that “the next week’s emergency schedule is guaranteed” at three hospitals in the region.

“We will work together to resolve issues for the whole month,” he added.

Explaining that scale preparation is “the responsibility of the boards of directors,” the chief executive also added that “given the lack of resources [no Serviço Regional de Saúde]there was an appeal [de profissionais] abroad, namely for workers” to ensure the scale of the next week.

“The increase in resources is not done at the snap of a finger,” he stressed, justifying this by saying that “the density of problems”, namely the “lack of doctors”, is “many years old”.

Asked about the alleged “bad environment” created by the current board of directors of HDES among its professionals, José Manuel Boleiro said that it is “true that the lack of dialogue has created difficulties in the relationship.”

“The call and accessibility was to keep the dialogue going, to be part of the solution. Everything will not be decided in one day. What was urgent was decided,” he stressed.

As for the possible dismissal of the board of directors, the Prime Minister preferred to “value decisions for understanding.”

As for an apology from the Vice President of the Government, requested by some 400 doctors who refused to work overtime beyond the 150 hours allowed by law, Boleiro refused to “cover the sun with a sieve.”

“In fact, there was a report of some discomfort in connection with the statements of the vice president of the government. It turned out that it was not, that the vice president had no intention of offending the doctors. advocate for closer relationships, fair and equitable status, including remuneration, for healthcare workers,” he said.

Bolheiro also wanted to “leave on behalf of the government, on behalf of himself and all members of the government, a gesture of solidarity and trust in doctors – one by one and as a whole.”

“Its ethical and deontological meaning has never been questioned, namely the provision, through additional work, of what corresponds to the essential answers. This is clear, this is not a reaction to the incident. [da interpretação das declarações do vice-presidente]🇧🇷 I want to assure users of good relations, trust in our doctors, who provide a service in full accordance with their ethical deontological duties and often go beyond them,” he said.

Artur Lima stated that he had “no intention to offend the doctors” in the overtime statements following criticism from PAN, BE and PS in the regional parliament.