The Executive Directorate of the National Health Service (DE-SNS) will have, as of this Thursday, August 17, full powers in the designation of the management bodies of the National Health Service units, a process that until now has been within the sphere of decision of the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Finance.
With this measure, the Government claims to be taking «an important step in strengthening the strategic management of the National Health Service, de-governmentalizing the process of appointing the heads of institutions that has been in force in recent decades and delegating to the new operational direction of the SNS not only the proposal, but also the appointment of the institutions' leading staff, in line with the objectives defined for the proper functioning of the public health service».
With the publication of the Resolution of the Council of Ministers in the Diário da República this Wednesday, to come into force tomorrow, the delegation of powers provided for in the Statute of the SNS, approved in August 2022, is fulfilled.
This Government deliberation covers the appointment of members of the management bodies of hospitals, hospital centres, Portuguese oncology institutes and local health units, without prejudice to compliance with the rules relating to the respective selection or appointment procedures and the proposition of a member by the government member responsible for the Finance area, also provided for in the SNS Statute.
The decision, however, does not go through the tutelage of Health and Finance, and the executive director is responsible for the order of appointment.
At the same time, the Minister of Health's dispatch was also published, which delegates to the DE-SNS the competence to appoint the Executive Directors of Groupings of Health Centers (ACeS).
A note from the Ministry of Health sent to the newsrooms considers that the creation of the DE-SNS, in place since the beginning of the year, «constituted the biggest management reform of the SNS in more than four decades, with this first year of activity being essential for the consolidation of its competences on the ground and in the legal system in force, a process that is ongoing».
With this measure, adds the note from the Ministry of Health, «the advantage of establishing a direct link between the responsibility of globally guiding the functioning of the SNS and the power to appoint its boards of directors is recognized, proceeding with the necessary legal adjustments».
«The Government thus renews its commitment to the decentralization of SNS management, with a view to a more articulated and agile operational response, promoting network operation and the strategic planning and management of the institutions, always with the aim of optimizing the response capacity citizens' health needs», concludes the note.
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