Health centres in Portugal may need to remain open until 10pm – “where necessary” – to respond to the needs of the thousands of flu patients who are filling up Portugal’s hospitals emergency departments, announced the health minister Paulo Macedo on Friday, January 17.
The minister, who was due to meet with the heads of the country’s regional health administrations (ARS), said he was considering the move in a bid to alleviate hospital emergency department crowding.
“During this time of year, when the number of flu cases increase substantially, health centre opening hours may need to be extended to respond to the needs of patients,” said Paulo Macedo after a visit to Aveiro Hospital. “Many cases of flu are being treated in hospital when health centres are more than capable of providing the same type of care.”
