The Board of the Regional Health Administration (ARS) of the Algarve now has met with some of the doctors who signed the letter of complaint sent to the President of the Board of Directors of the Hospitals of the Algarve, headed by Pedro Nunes, and reports that it has "heard from everyone involved."
The Board “wishes to promote further dialogue between the two parties to jointly reach an understanding" according to an emollient statement issued today.
For the Board, “an understanding should be promoted in order to continue to ensure the provision of health care of the highest quality to the population using the hospitals in the Hospital of the Algarve group.”
The ARS Board added that it had “met with the mayors at the Intermunicipal Community of Algarve (AMAL) in order to clarify their doubts and concerns about this matter and to listen to their input on issues regarding health care in the Algarve region."
The Board of ARS adds that “after the effort to promote dialogue between the various stakeholders” it welcomes the “availability of the President of the Board of the Hospital of the Algarve, Dr. Pedro Nunes, to solve the problem and continue to ensure at all times the necessary health care provision for the entire population of the Algarve."
The doctors' joint letter complained bitterly about the lack of staff, the lack of materials and the postponement of many operations all due to the financial strangulation of the health service.
Pedro Nunes who is charged with running the new Faro and Barlavento hospital unit in an orderly fiscal manner, has been criticised for his bullying and threatening tactics when dealing with those doctors under his management. Nunes now has confirmation of support from the regional health service board and it now is up to him to sort out this damaging mess.
