Portugal’s New Copilot Scheme Puts Nurses at the Helm of Low-Risk Pregnancies
A new copilot scheme will see nurses take on a greater role in monitoring low-risk pregnancies across parts of Portugal. The initiative, set to launch in the Setúbal Peninsula and Amadora-Sintra, comes as the country faces ongoing shortages in healthcare staff. Meanwhile, medical associations have raised concerns over delays and unclear planning within the Ministry of Health.
The Portuguese government is moving forward with plans to transfer certain health responsibilities to regional coordination and development commissions. Under the pilot project, nurses will oversee pregnancies for women who lack a family doctor, provided their cases are classified as low-risk. The Portuguese Nurses Association has clarified that their role is to assist—not replace—doctors, with each specialist nurse supporting up to 75 women, in line with a 2005 EU directive.
The pilot will test nurse-led care for low-risk pregnancies in two regions, aiming to fill gaps left by doctor shortages. Regional commissions are set to gain expanded health powers, but medical associations continue to push for clearer communication and faster decision-making. The success of the scheme may depend on addressing ongoing staffing challenges and ensuring smooth collaboration between nurses and doctors.
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