The decree will come into effect on Thursday, 26 February.

The Government published in the Diário da República a decree requiring callers to the SNS24 hotline to access "all obstetrics and gynaecology emergencies" of the National Health Service (SNS) in mainland Portugal.

The measure began to be tested at the end of 2024 in hospitals in the Lisbon and Tagus Valley region, Leiria and Caldas da Rainha, and will now be extended in phases to the rest of the country, "and should be completed within a maximum period of 90 days," reads the decree signed by the Minister of Health.

Positive pilot project

According to the decree, the decision to expand the measure is based on "the positive evaluation of the pilot project" implemented just over a year ago, which required users to call SUS24 before accessing obstetrics and gynaecology emergencies (UOG). This requirement was not demanded in life-threatening situations or when users were referred by other health professionals.

Reducing waiting times

The decree underlines the "high number of calls" in Portuguese emergency rooms compared to other European countries, which increases waiting times and puts "increased pressure on clinical teams."

With this change, healthcare professionals on the SNS 24 helpline began providing individualised advice and directing users to the emergency room, hospital obstetrics and gynaecology consultations, or primary healthcare.

Appropriate use

The government considers that the measure, "widely used in other European countries," promotes a more "appropriate and proportionate" use of emergency services by referring non-urgent situations to other health services.

Regarding SNS hospitals that did not participate in the telephone pre-triage pilot project, an information campaign will be carried out targeting the population, with the main message: "Before going to an Obstetrics and Gynaecology Emergency Room, it is necessary to call the SNS 24 Pregnant/Gynaecology Helpline - 808 24 24 24".

Notices to patients

Posters will also be displayed at the entrances of obstetrics and gynaecology emergency rooms, informing patients that the emergency rooms operate with telephone pre-triage, requiring a call beforehand.

This information should also be disseminated in hospital consultations and primary health care services of the respective local health units, the decree adds.

In addition to referrals made by the SNS24 Line, access to emergency services may result from a referral through the Urgent Patient Guidance Centre (CODU), from "primary health care or another public, private or social health institution, with clinical information signed by a doctor or specialist nurse in maternal and obstetric health" or originating from a "general emergency or paediatric emergency of the same health institution".

Exceptions presented

The decree provides, however, for some exceptions, such as the case of women who arrive at the emergency room and present "strong suspicion of situations that may potentially represent a risk to life".

The decree also stipulates that the new rules cannot result in a "lack of response" and that the solution may involve emergency services when there is no capacity to respond "in a clinically appropriate time" in primary health care consultations and hospitals.