In 2026, SNS could have 5% more workers and 98% of users with a family doctor

National Health Service (NHS) units will be able to increase staff numbers by 5%, according to a published order, which states that by 2026, 98% of users will have a GP.

These are the two indicators that appear in the order approving the first Global Reference Framework (QGR) of the SNS, published in the Diário da República and signed by the Minister of State and Finance, Joaquim Miranda Sarmento, and the Minister of Health, Ana. Paula Martins.

The new SNS model created two new management tools: the NHS QGR and the Plan of Organization Development (PDO) for hospitals that have Public Enterprise (EPE) status.

In the area of ​​human resources, QGR strives to ensure that SNS units are equipped with the necessary professionals to guarantee access, quality, safety and effectiveness of the care provided.

To this end, “new hiring will be allowed upon concluding an open-ended employment contract, which in general may amount to an increase in the number of employees by up to 5% compared to what existed on December 31.” 2023.”

Also in this area, it is planned to develop the structure of various professional careers with the opening of promotion competitions in accordance with the forecasts recorded in the personnel cards of SNA subjects.

The 2024 guidance, which will also apply in 2025 and 2026, also calls for gradual improvements over this three-year period in levels of production, access, quality, efficiency and integration of care across the NHS.

At the production level, the order projects that the number of medical consultations in primary care will increase from approximately 34.6 million this year to 36.4 million in 2026, and the number of hospital consultations will increase from 13.8 million to more than 14.3 million for the same period. .

For surgical procedures, the global reference table also shows an increase, from approximately 825 thousand in 2024 to more than 841 thousand in 2026.

In terms of access to healthcare, QRG points to an increase in the percentage of users assigned to a family doctor, which will rise from 86% this year to 91% in 2025 and 98% next year.

Also increasing are the percentage of patients operated within the maximum guaranteed response time (TMRG) – from 80% to 85% over three years – and hospital consultations carried out within the TMRG – from 54% to 75% this year. period.

The baseline indicates a reduction in the number of emergency episodes, falling from about six million projected for this year to 5.7 million in 2026.

As for economic and financial indicators, the order states that the total amount of income of all subjects of the SNA for 2024 must correspond to that approved in the State Budget for 2024, and various items of income and expenses are updated during 2024-2026. three year period.

It is also expected that the economic and financial performance of all STS entities in terms of operating results will gradually improve over the three-year period 2024-2026.

“The process of preparing this order has become the subject of constant dialogue with the Executive Directorate of the SNS and with various institutions that are part of the Ministry of Health, and, in turn, with the Ministry of Finance,” the document also says.