The Algarve’s beach-based first aid posts have proved invaluable to holiday makers with over 3,500 visits in July for a variety of conditions, bites and stings.
There are 32 first aid posts on the Algarve’s beaches in an initiative set up by the Regional Health Administration in collaboration with the Red Cross.
These first aid posts are open between 10.30 and 19.30 and are there to ensure immediate first aid by nurses who can sort out the many conditions that can be treated on site.
If a more serious situation develops, nursing staff call up an ambulance and the patient is whisked off to the nearest or most suitable hospital.
These first aid posts will be on the Algarve’s beaches until August 30th with seven remaining open until September 13th.
Visits in July have resulted in 1,905 treatments, 670 blood pressure measurements, 546 calls due to fish, spider and insect bites, 115 to perform blood glucose tests and 237 to administer injections.
A further 51 people have been sent to hospital or another health facility as their condition was serious and could not be dealt with on site.
Of the patients, around 67% are from outside the Algarve (53% are from other regions of Portugal and 14% are foreigners).
The health administration says that these figures show the high number of visitors to the region and the scheme’s success in keeping people with minor ailments from clogging up Accident and Emergency departments in the region’s hospitals.
The beaches with the highest number of users have been Armação de Pêra (Silves), Culatra (Faro) and Armona (Olhão).
An additional service is the link by phone between nurses on site and the Emergency Patients Guidance Center (CODU) of the ambulance service which allows detailed medical advice to be given and better coordination with hospitals for incoming patients.
