Portuguese Medical Association Warns Inpatient Care at Risk in Public Hospitals

The Portuguese Medical Association (Ordem dos Médicos) has issued an urgent warning regarding the safety and continuous monitoring of hospitalised inpatients across public healthcare facilities.

Officials cautioned that recent administrative decisions shifting medical staff could compromise standard ward vigilance.

The head of the Medical Association, Carlos Cortes, warned that redeploying ward physicians to plug gaps in emergency departments leaves regular inpatients vulnerable during critical recovery stages.

Medical unions highlighted that staffing ratios on night and weekend shifts are nearing minimum safety thresholds in several regional facilities.