Reform Crack in INEM: Are Ambulance Services Declining or Strengthening?

We are all aware of the hours-long waiting times in hospital emergency departments. But now things are about to get even more complicated at the National Institute for Medical Emergencies (INEM), the health system's first line of response. Employees of the institution are strongly against the management's reform plan on the table and are preparing to play the strike card if the process is not resolved on the table.

This disagreement between field workers and management has reached a point where it will directly affect the lives of citizens on the street and everyone in need of urgent assistance.

What is at the Focus of the Crisis?

The key point of the discussion is the possible decrease in the number of ambulances. The main reservations expressed by employees on the union wing and in the field are as follows:

Transfer and Transformation of 100 Ambulances: Employees state that in line with the planned reform, 54 ambulances will be transferred to Local Health Units (ULS) and 46 Emergency Life Support ambulances will be converted into light vehicles. They argue that this situation means the loss of a total of 100 ambulances from the field.

Strike is on the Table: Employees draw attention to the warnings made since July and say that these steps will seriously weaken the ambulance service capacity. So much so that the decisions taken at the extraordinary General Assembly held this afternoon may trigger a comprehensive strike in the coming days.

What Does Management Say?

INEM President Luís Cabral, the name at the center of the allegations, rejects the accusations in a very harsh language. According to Cabral, there will be no reduction in service capacity in the field; On the contrary, the regulation is a necessity:

"The statements are lies and irresponsible": The head of the institution describes the criticisms that the services will decline as "wrong and irresponsible".

Regional Strengthening Target: The administration emphasizes that the new plan aims to reorganize the system and make it more effective, especially in regions where the need for urgent intervention is greatest, such as Lisbon, Setúbal (South Side) and Algarve.

Reality and Expectations on the Table

Despite the management's statements that "we are strengthening the system", the staff in the field are not convinced, causing the crisis to deepen. At a time when hospitals are already overwhelmed, a strike by first responders could deal another heavy blow to the healthcare system. The coming days will clarify whether the parties will step back and the fate of the emergency response vehicles.

Source: SIC Notícias / Natasha Donn (Portugal Resident)

Image Source: Nuno Veiga / Lusa