From January 1 next year, parents whose children need operations will be allowed to accompany them into State hospital operating theatres and stay beside them until they are anaesthetised.
The announcement, made in State newspaper Diário da República, gives hospitals until December 31 to “make the necessary arrangements”.
The same authorisation applies to the parents of over-18s who have deficiencies and are otherwise ‘dependent’. It further allows over-16s to name a person of their choice to accompany them, who need not be a parent.
The government dispatch stresses that in taking up this option, parents will have to be ‘prepared’ during pre-op consultations.
