INEM Crisis Before September: Paramedics Put Their Conditions on the Table for a Strike

Mobility in the field of healthcare does not slow down in Portugal; Now it is the turn of the emergency aid system. The Union of Paramedics and Emergency Service Technicians (STEPH) within INEM clearly explained its conditions to cancel the two-day strike planned to be held in September. The most fundamental issue on the table is the structure of the ambulance fleet and the quality of service.

2027 Target and In-House Service Emphasis

The union's biggest concern is some restructuring plans prepared by INEM management, which they think will reduce the quality of service. Paramedics, who want all 56 existing emergency ambulances to remain active, oppose subcontracting or transferring the work to hospitals (Local Health Units).

In fact, the demands are not limited to this; They want a commitment to establish at least two emergency ambulance stations in each municipality that does not currently have this service by the end of 2027. Currently, only five of the country's municipalities have more than one emergency ambulance, while the rest are largely managed by fire trucks.

Other Critical Demands on the Table

The main topics presented by STEPH before the Ministry of Health meeting on September 26 are:

Coordination and Team Use: It is requested that a clear instruction be issued regulating the joint operation of emergency life support (ILS) ambulances, fire brigade and Red Cross vehicles. If the patient needs constant monitoring, an ILS vehicle with a paramedic and a nurse should be used; If this is not the case, normal fire brigade ambulances should be activated so that the critical teams can remain idle.

CODU Calls: Written assurance is requested that call triage at Emergency Patient Coordination Centers (CODU) will continue to be handled by fully trained emergency medical technicians.

Uninterrupted Shifts: It is emphasized that medical emergency services are maintained uninterrupted 24/7.

On the other hand, although INEM management argues that the planned steps will protect resources more efficiently, the concerns of those working in the field and the steps to be taken are likely to be one of the hottest topics of September. We will closely follow the results of the talks.

Source: Lusa / Portugal Resident (Author: Natasha Donn / Photo: Nuno Veiga)