Across the country, four Obstetrics and Gynaecology A&E units are to close on Saturday, and three on Sunday, Portugal’s National Health Service has warned.
On Saturday, 6 December, the A&E units for this speciality at the hospitals of Portimão (Faro district), Barreiro (Setúbal district), Setúbal, and Braga will be closed, based on the rotas consulted by news agency Lusa.
The situation improves slightly on Sunday, 7 December, with closures limited to the obstetrics and gynaecology emergency services at the three hospitals of Portimão, Barreiro, and Vila Franca de Xira (Lisbon district).
Meanwhile, on Saturday, the obstetric A&E units in Braga, Vila Franca de Xira, Aveiro, Santarém, São Francisco Xavier (Lisbon) and Leiria will not close, but be operating with restrictions, accepting only cases referred by emergency services.
On Sunday, restricted access will also apply to obstetric emergencies in Braga, Santarém, Aveiro, Leiria, and São Francisco Xavier.
Additionally, throughout the weekend, paediatric A&E departments at the hospitals of Vila Franca de Xira, Esposende (Braga district) and Beatriz Ângelo in Loures will also operate under constraints, again receiving only patients referred by the National Institute for Medical Emergencies (INEM).
According to the rotas published, 132 emergency services nationwide will remain open on Saturday, alongside 28 units operating under the pilot scheme requiring patients to contact the SNS 24 helpline before attending.
On Sunday, 133 emergency services and 27 pilot scheme units will be available.
The disruptions are largely due to a shortage of specialist doctors to fill the rotas.
Health authorities are advising the public to contact the SNS 24 helpline (808 24 24 24) before travelling to an emergency department to ensure appropriate guidance.
Source: LUSA
