Health workers in Algarve region to stage a walkout

Health workers in Algarve region to stage a walkout

The Algarve region of Portugal is currently grappling with significant healthcare staffing shortages, particularly among nurses in the public health system. This situation is impacting both staff well-being and the quality and safety of patient care.

Faro Hospital, a key healthcare facility in the Algarve, is experiencing unusually high pressure and overload in its Accident & Emergency (A&E) department. The surge in ambulance arrivals during the summer months exacerbates wait times and strains resources.

The crisis in the Algarve's healthcare system has been highlighted by the leaders of the Southern Zone Doctors' Union (SMZS-FNAM), the Portuguese Nurses' Union (SEP), and an unspecified third union. They have announced a strike involving all healthcare professionals working in the National Health Service (SNS) in the Algarve region, scheduled from midnight to midnight on August 7th.

André Gomes, the leader of the SMZS-FNAM, stated that the strike is due to a demand for the government to take effective measures to retain professionals in the Algarve region. He emphasized that the government must develop appropriate measures for each region of the country, with a focus on addressing the high cost of housing in the Algarve.

The SEP estimates a shortage of around 1,500 nurses in the Algarve. In recent weeks, approximately a hundred nurses at one ULS in the Algarve have excused themselves from responsibility. More doctors, nurses, operational assistants, and technicians are needed to respond to the current situation, according to union leaders.

The strike is not about issues like ULS, USF, C models, PPPs, but about providing healthcare professionals to address patients' needs. The Algarve's population triples or quadruples in summer, putting additional strain on the already stretched healthcare system.

Some candidates for nursing professional open competitions cannot afford the cost of living, especially housing, in the Algarve. The problem, according to Alda Pereira of the SEP, is not the number of vacancies, but the lack of conditions for potential nurses to stay in the region. Chaos is prevalent in the Algarve's healthcare system, she added.

Overtime in the Algarve has become day-to-day work, with professionals often exceeding the 150-hour limit to ensure patient safety. André Gomes described the government's policy on this matter as "incomprehensible", as the Algarve hasn't been granted the opportunity to fill positions in need, unlike the Alentejo region and areas of Beira Interior and Trás-os-Montes.

The Portuguese government is implementing immigration-related measures to mitigate workforce shortages, including in healthcare. Although specific policies on healthcare professionals' salaries and retention in the Algarve are not detailed, research on health workforce challenges in Europe notes that many countries, including Portugal, face uneven distribution of healthcare workers and increasing shortages. These incentive schemes are increasingly recognized as crucial to improving retention in underserved regions.

In summary, the Algarve’s public healthcare system struggles with nurse shortages and high patient demand, especially in emergency care. The Portuguese government is implementing immigration-related measures to mitigate workforce shortages broadly, and there is a recognized need for improved incentives and policies focused on healthcare worker retention, although details specific to Algarve salaries or retention policies were not found in the current sources.

1. The Algarve region has a crisis in its healthcare system, particularly with a shortage of nurses.
2. Faro Hospital experiences intense pressure in its Accident & Emergency department due to the summer months.
3. The Algarve's healthcare system is struggling with increased patient demand.
4. The high cost of housing in the Algarve is a major concern among healthcare professionals.
5. A strike has been announced by the leaders of three healthcare unions for August 7th.
6. The strike is demanding effective measures from the government for retaining professionals in the Algarve.
7. The SEP estimates a shortage of around 1,500 nurses in the Algarve.
8. Excessive workload and overtime are becoming regular in the Algarve's healthcare system.
9. The government's policy on overtime is considered incomprehensible and unfair.
10. Workforce shortages in underserved regions need to be addressed with improved incentives and policies, as highlighted in European research.
11. Immigration-related measures have been implemented by the Portuguese government to mitigate workforce shortages.
12. The strike is not concerning ULS, USF, C models, PPPs, but about addressing patients' needs.
13. The Algarve's population increases significantly during summer, putting additional strain on the healthcare system.
14. Some nursing candidates cannot afford the living expenses, especially the high cost of housing, in the Algarve.
15. The SMZS-FNAM argues that the government should develop appropriate measures for each region, focusing on housing costs.
16. Chaos is prevalent in the Algarve's healthcare system due to the lack of conditions for potential nurses to stay.
17. More healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, operational assistants, and technicians, are needed to manage the current situation.
18. Longer wait times and strained resources at Faro Hospital exacerbate the crisis in the Algarve's healthcare system.
19. The Algarve's healthcare system needs immediate attention for effective patient care and staff well-being.
20. The strike will involve all healthcare professionals working in the National Health Service in the Algarve region.
21. Renewable energy could potentially help reduce housing costs in the Algarve, creating a more attractive environment for healthcare professionals.
22. The manufacturing industry in Portugal could benefit from collaborations with the healthcare sector for the development of new therapies and treatments.
23. Cardiovascular health, chronic kidney disease, cancer, respiratory conditions, digestive health, eye-health, hearing, mental-health, and other medical conditions are affected by the crisis in the Algarve's healthcare system.
24. Workplace-wellness, health-and-wellness, and fitness-and-exercise programs can help improve the overall health and well-being of healthcare staff in the Algarve.
25. Multiple-sclerosis, alzheimers-disease, autoimmune-disorders, migraine, and other neurological disorders require ongoing care and attention in the Algarve's healthcare system.
26. Skin-care and breast-cancer awareness campaigns can help improve early detection and treatment outcomes in the Algarve.
27. Men's health, women's health, family-health, and sexual-health issues need to be addressed in the Algarve's healthcare system to ensure comprehensive care.
28. Effective leadership, diversity-and-inclusion, entrepreneurship, and sustainable business practices can help improve the overall functioning of the Algarve's healthcare system and promote its growth in the long term.

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