HUNDREDS OF ambulances with sirens wailing filed along Lisbon’s Almirante Reis recently to protest at poor working conditions. Many considered it to be the largest demonstration of health and emergency vehicle drivers in memory.
At the heart of the matter are the Health Ministry’s plans to close down or amalgamate a number of A&E transport companies in a bid to cut costs. “We are complaining at the rather severe measures being taken to close down several emergency vehicle operators which, as a consequence, will put people out of work and reduce the quality of life-giving services to patients,” said Paulo Rodrigues, president of the ambulance transport workers association.
