The Algarve is being harmed by the National Institute of Medical Emergency (INEM) being managed 300 kilometres away according to the Trade Union of Public Sector Workers.
"The Algarve-based call centre was shut when the regional INEM for the Algarve was disbanded in 2012. This was done for economic reasons.
This closure led to the centralisation of the management for emergency calls, increasing response times and creating problems with incorrect interpretation of addresses which does not help those waiting for immediate assistance" said the Union in a statement issued today.
The Faro district branch of the Union believes that "there is a manifest prejudice to the Algarve population and for all who visit the region when the management logistics and material resources (vehicles) and staff are based 300 kilometres away and unaware of the Algarve’s real needs."
The Union states that INEM decided in a hurry to close the Algarve response centre and added that it was essential to have a locally based service for the Algarve, the main tourist area of the country.
The Federation of Firefighters in the Algarve also recognise that the remoteness of the call centres causes delays in response times and often there is confusion about the exact locations of the emergency to be attended to, but called for a negotiated solution to allow the return of this service to the region.
The union said that the current scenario is making the INEM Algarve unable effectively to perform its duties" and "unnecessarily hampering response times and its functional efficiency."
