The Government will launch tenders for the hiring of general and family medicine doctors for the Algarve, in July, which can help solve the shortage of clinicians in the Health Centers of Monchique and Portimão.
In response to questions from PCP deputy Paulo Sá about problems of lack of personnel in these two health units, the Government says that "the shortage will be substantially addressed in the next tender(s) for the area of Medicine General and Family, whose opening is expected to take place in July».
The cases of the Health Centers are different: in the case of Portimão, «approximately seven doctors are missing, so that all users registered in this Personalized Health Care Unit (UCSP) can have a family doctor assigned».
In Monchique, all users registered at UCSP have a family doctor, but «two doctors from this unit will retire during this year», the Government said.
The tutelage guarantees that, in this case, "the users who are part of the files of these professionals will continue to enjoy the proper accessibility to health care, since the interest of the professionals in remaining in the service under the provision has already been expressed. available for hiring retired doctors».
The PCP also questions the Government in relation to the lack of a psychologist at the Monchique Health Center to which the Government answers that it is «planned to open a competition for the hiring of three psychologists (one per Health Center Group).
The lack of professionals in Portimão is more serious since, according to the PCP, there is also a lack of nurses. «11-12 at UCSP, one at the Atlântico Sul Family Health Unit and a high number (still undetermined, but under evaluation) at the Dunas Community Care Unit».
The Government, for its part, says that the shortage of nurses in Portimão has «in part been alleviated in recent times, through mobility processes that have already been implemented and others that are under development. conclusion of the ongoing national tender procedure for nurses, which will allocate some professionals to these units».
Regarding the lack of other professionals, which the PCP also denounces, as diagnostic technicians, senior technicians (occupational technicians, physiotherapists, oral hygienists, speech therapists, nutritionists, psychologists and social workers), technical assistants and operational assistants, the Government he says that "the deficiencies have been gradually being filled through mobility processes, which have not, in fact, been sufficient, especially at the level of operational assistants, which has led to the outsourcing of services". In this case, the tutelage says that “a mobility competition is being prepared”.
The protection was also questioned by the PCP in relation to the internet bandwidth in the Health Center of Portimão, being necessary, according to the communists, «to increase it from 10 to 50 MB at headquarters and from 2 to 10 MB in health extensions.
The Government guarantees that "the Shared Services of the Ministry of Health will proceed with the duplication of the circuit" of the Health Center of Portimão.
The lack of cars is another problem raised by the PCP. According to deputy Paulo Sá, the "four existing vehicles [in Portimão] are insufficient for home visits."
The Government accepts the problem, but says that "so far, it has not, in any way, harmed the direct provision of care by UCC Dunas, with the services of the other Units being scheduled and carried out according to availability. of vehicles and recourse to the auto part of the other Health Centers in the area of influence of ACES».
The PCP also warns that, in the case of the Public Health Unit, located at the Health Center of Portimão, and which serves the municipalities of Aljezur, Lagoa, Lagos, Monchique, Portimão, Silves and Vila do Bispo, the lack of vehicles does not allow that officials 'carry out the travels inherent to their functions. The situation has been overcome with the use of health professionals' own vehicles».
In response to this question, the Government says that "possible journeys on duty in their own vehicles are only carried out as an exception and, whenever requested/authorized, duly reimbursed, there is no note that the Barlavento Public Health Unit does not have availability of vehicles for business trips that you need to carry out”.
The tutelage also clarifies that "the centralized procurement of goods and services for the State Vehicle Park is the exclusive competence of the Public Administration Shared Services Entity (ESPAP)" and that it is "prohibited to related entities and ministerial procurement units proceed with the opening of procurement procedures and contract renewals in this context'.
Even so, «on 3 March, ARS Algarve requested clarification from ESPAP on the possibility of purchasing used vehicles» but «the situation to date still awaits an answer».
Regarding the Monchique Health Center, the PCP says that it “has sufficient vehicles for home visits, but these vehicles are not the most appropriate for the specificities of the municipality of Monchique, as many users need home support. they live in areas served only by unpaved roads, with difficult access for light cars».
This gap can be addressed “through future partnerships with the Municipalities and/or Freeguesia Councils, without prejudice to the efforts that will be made by ARS Algarve to address this situation”, the Government responds.
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