The national health service needs more than 5,500 doctors, 30,000 nurses and 140 pharmacists

The national health service needs more than 5,500 doctors, 30,000 nurses and 140 pharmacists for hospitals, according to a portrait presented today in Lisbon by professional orders.

According to the Ordem dos Medicos, staff estimates that it would take 5,500 additional doctors, estimated at 120 million euros paid to medical service providers last year and considering the fact that overtime represents 21% of physician remuneration.

"Hospitals have overtime.Hospitals close their doors if doctors do not work overtime," said Miguel Guimarães during a debate on human resources at the National Health Service, promoted by the cabinet multinational IASIST consultancy.

Regarding the growth of the doctors of the national health service to which the official data refers, the bastonário emphasizes that they are mainly internal doctors, still in training.

In acting nurses, the Order representing them estimates that 30,000 professionals are absent. Ana Rita Cavaco reminded that the ratio of nurses per thousand inhabitants is 4.2 when the average of the countries of the OECD is 9.2.

"We do not have any hospitals that meet the security requirements of the minimum number of nurses. Many hospitals have a nurse taking turns, "said the staff.

In the case of nurses also, overtime play an important role and, according to the Order, "the state owes more than two million hours" to these professionals.

Ana Rita Cavaco again called on nurses to stop working overtime.

At the last shift from 40 to 35 hours a week in July, 1,100 nurses were hired, but at least 600 more would be needed to deal with changes in contract hours.

"Those 600 people did not come in," recalls Ana Rita Cavaco.

With regard to pharmacists, the College says that at least 140 professionals are absent from hospital pharmacies, including 140 without diagnostic technicians and therapists and 60 to 70 operational assistants.

Ana Paula Martins, head of the College of Pharmacists, also reiterated the importance of careers for health professionals, noting that pharmacists have not yet progressed in practice.

"The lack of professionals or their lack of organization causes unnecessary tension and a climate of huge conflict," said the staff.