The NHS will have 33 emergency departments operating under restrictions next week, according to a network reorganization plan published on Saturday evening by the SNS Executive Directorate.
The restrictions will affect 67 specialties compared to 72 in the previous week, including obstetrics.
According to the plan, SNS emergency services have 83 locations across the country and, despite identified limitations, they have “demonstrated the ability to communicate” and respond with the “strong support of INEM.”
50 units (60%) will be fully operational, and in the rest there will be real improvement in specialties with restrictions and days with restrictions, says the document of the executive directorate of the SNS.
The executive body believes that there is a “consolidation of trends towards improved response”, which does not exclude the effects of recent agreements with doctors and the influence reflected in the organization of service lists.
During the week from December 3 to 9, 44 emergency services were operating at full capacity (53%), while the remaining 39 were experiencing difficulties in some specialties, such as Via Verde AVC.
The published update predicts that next week Via Verde Coronária will only have restrictions at one point on the network nationwide.
Those behind the plan stress that the strain on services due to respiratory infections at the time, both in hospital admissions and in emergencies, has caused “peaks in demand” with waiting times longer but shorter than in previous years.
Patients are advised to call SNS24 (808 242 424) in advance. In urgent or emergency situations, you should call 112, which will forward the call to INEM.
“Given the limitations of the current situation, restrictions on access to emergency services may be increased, affecting less serious cases first,” the document acknowledges.
Primary health care “must reorganize and provide periods of unscheduled care” for patients with acute illness, especially those referred through SNS24.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
I am Michael Melvin, an experienced news writer with a passion for uncovering stories and bringing them to the public. I have been working in the news industry for over five years now, and my work has been published on multiple websites. As an author at 24 News Reporters, I cover world section of current events stories that are both informative and captivating to read.