The decree, signed by the Health Minister, establishes a national plan to address seasonal health issues. It covers preparing, responding, and reviewing how the health system addresses anticipated problems each year.

Four risk levels

The model provides four risk levels: green (preparedness), yellow (enhanced vigilance), orange (enhanced response), and red (emergency), with each level corresponding to graduated measures, such as boosting hospital capacity, mobilising staff, reorganising care pathways, and postponing non-urgent care.

National and local teams actively monitor epidemiological, meteorological, and healthcare demand indicators. They publish weekly reports and communicate specific public health messages to ensure the public is informed.

Seasonal periods

The Government highlights that those seasonal periods, particularly winter and summer, require the SNS to deliver planned, coordinated, and timely responses to protect the population and maintain care capacity.

Portugal vulnerability

It emphasises that Portugal is particularly vulnerable to extreme weather events, such as severe cold, heatwaves, wildfires, and heavy rainfall, which can significantly impact public health and the demand for medical care.

The order states that developing and using seasonal plans for winter and summer has shown the importance of planning ahead, working together, and having effective ways to monitor and coordinate across all parts of the health system.

Strengthening health systems

In this context, it states that strengthening the health system’s capacity for preparedness, anticipation, and response to seasonal risks is a priority for the Government, within the framework of protecting public health and strengthening the resilience of the National Health Service (SNS).

Transitioning plans

It is important to transition from two separate winter and summer plans to a coherent model that integrates preparedness, response, and recovery throughout the annual cycle, ensuring better coordination and more efficient resource use. The order says the health plan must focus on people, especially those most at risk. It should respond based on risk levels, ensuring strong teamwork across the health system and with other stakeholders, especially civil protection. The plan is made every year.

National Plan

A National Plan is prepared by top health agencies and published on the SNS website by 31 March each year.

The model also includes Local Plans, drawn up by Local Health Units, Portuguese Institutes of Oncology, and other NHS healthcare establishments and service providers, approved by the DGS and the DE-SNS by 30 April each year, and disseminated internally by the respective bodies to relevant partners. The National and Local Plans are active from 1 May until 30 April of the next year.