Budget boost for Algarve’s hospitals

Algarve's hospitals may get an injection of fundsPortugal’s Health Minister, Paulo Macedo, is insisting on a capital increase of €425.6 million for 19 of the country’s hospitals, and he wants it added to next year’s budget.

Macedo has put the figure in the Heath Service’s budget submission which will save many hospitals from bankruptcy.

Portugal's killer heatwave missed the Algarve

Heatwave missed the AlgarveThe death toll in Portugal due to the 2013 summer heatwave was up 30% on the 2012 figure with 1,684 deaths attributable to heat related causes, according to a report by the Directorate General of Health released today.

The report looked at the increase in demand for medical services including the helpline Health 24, in order to help the National Institute for Medical Emergencies gauge its service provision and plan its future response strategy.

Algarve's secure water supply - councils still in arrears

Algarve's water supplyWater reserves held in the Algarve’s dams are sufficient to supply the region if it does not rain for two years, said Isabel Soares, the head of Águas do Algarve.

The commissioning of the controversial Odelouca dam to the north of Silves, which began providing water a year and a half ago, completed the water supply master plan for the region.

New Algarve Health chief and a dead Romani child

Barlavento hospitalDoctor da Silva Moura dos Reis is the new Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Regional Health Administration of the Algarve appointed by the Ministry of Health.

The Algarve board retains the services of Miguel Madeira, the only one left from the previous management team. Martins dos Santos and Ana Costa resigned in July for disagreeing over the merger of the Algarve’s three hospitals top create the Center Hospital of the Algarve.

Collapsed Banco Privado Português bosses found guilty

Justice at lastThe Bank of Portugal is to impose fines amounting to €11 million in 11 bosses of Banco Privado Português (BPP) including the founder, João Rendeiro.

The defendants now have a period of 15 days to challenge the court decision after which we will know the names of those convicted and the sums each has to pay.

London dock back in business

Trade, in the old fashioned wayFor the first time in two generations, a commercial vessel will dock next week at a new deep-water port in London.

The container ship MOL Caledon will bring in fruit and wine from South Africa.

Looted art cache discovered

Art worth millions Valuable artwork, missing since it was looted by the Nazis, has been uncovered in Munich.

Paintings from such sought-after artists as Picasso, Matisse and Chagall are among the 1,500 pieces found.  They had been confiscated by the Nazis during the 1930s and 1940.

Chemical food protection promised

New bag to solve the problemAn innovation in plastic bags can reduce mould and prevent bacteria from spoiling the food contents.

Bread and cheese may be kept longer if stored in plastic bags treated with chemicals to halt the growth of bacteria and fungi.