The Executive Management of the National Health Service (DE-SNS) retains the right to appoint members of the management of local health units (ULS) over the next year, according to the PS budget proposal approved this Thursday.
On the first day of voting on the 2024 state budget (OE024), the socialist proposal was approved, with the PS voting in favor, Livre and Chega abstaining, and PSD, IL, PCP and BE abstaining.
The socialist proposal stipulates that “through the year 2024, the right to appoint members of the governing bodies of Portuguese cancer institutes and local health institutions” belongs to the executive management of the SNS.
In the explanatory note, socialist deputies remind that the resolution of the Council of Ministers of July 13 vests this executive department with such competence.
In September, SNS chief executive Fernando Araújo announced a “major reform” from January 2024 with the creation of 31 ULSs that bring together hospitals and health centers under one institution and management, which will join the eight already existing.
In a memo justifying the proposal, the Socialists emphasize “that the diversity and complexity” of the new ULS vacancy “requires an adjustment in relation to its governing bodies,” specifying the possibility of appointing a maximum of six executive members depending on the size and complexity of the medical institution.
Therefore, the board of directors, in addition to the ULS president, must include up to two clinical directors, a nursing director, a member proposed by the government member responsible for finance, and a member proposed by the inter-municipal community or metropolitan area, depending on the location of the ULS.
It is “important for the CoP to ensure that the NHS Executive retains competence to appoint members of the governing bodies of the ULS.”
The measure has been criticized by the SDP, which this week called for the entry into force of the future SSC, scheduled for January 1, to be suspended, or at least for its leaders to be appointed on a replacement basis.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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