The recent announcement of the Emergency and Health Transformation Plan by the Portuguese Government was accompanied by great expectations from all health professionals. However, a careful reading of the proposed measures reveals a bitter disappointment: once again, nurses have been relegated to a subordinate role. Nothing surprises us that the “disciples” chose to create the aforementioned emergency plan. Thinking about it, it was almost unnecessary to comment, as there was no reference, even once, to the word nurse nor to his skills and functions.
I suggest colleagues read only the summary so that they do not feel uncomfortable. its enough! It would be another bad plan, because without the nurses you would never have a successful outcome. Let’s wait for its implementation.
This plan, which should be comprehensive and comprehensive, appears to have been designed primarily by and for one healthcare profession, ignoring the essential role of nurses and all other professions who, on a daily basis, are essential to maintaining the effective functioning of the National Health Service (SNS). ).
The NHS is a complex system that relies on the cooperation and integration of many professions, each of which performs critical functions to ensure the provision of good care to the population. However, the emergency plan presents a reductionist vision, focusing disproportionately on the promotion and training of one group. It is placed on a pedestal as if health does not exist without it. Health is not limited to one profession, and any truly effective plan must recognize the interconnectedness between doctors, nurses, diagnostic and treatment technicians, and medical assistants, among others.
Nurses are the backbone of the NHS. We are the ones who spend the most time at patients’ side, ensuring not only the provision of prescribed treatments, but also the provision of comprehensive care that includes emotional support, health education and the implementation of independent interventions based on our specialized knowledge. Ignoring the importance of nurses in the plan is ignoring the reality of what is happening in wards, health centers and homes. Man does not live on surgical operations only, but on everything that moves, such as a hot bed! Just look at the selection and chosen.
Omitting specific measures for nurses in the emergency plan is a clear sign of a lack of recognition and appreciation for our work. The plan does not address critical issues such as work overload, the need to increase the number of nurses or other health professionals to ensure safe, high-quality care, and the urgent need to improve working conditions and wages. Without these measures, any attempt to reform health will always be superficial and insufficient.
Another critical point is the lack of strong investment in the ongoing training and development of nurses. The demands of clinical practice are constantly evolving, and nurses need ongoing training to stay up to date and prepared to meet new challenges. The plan highlights the training of specialist doctors, but where is the support for advanced training for nurses? Advanced nursing and nursing specialties are vital to improving health outcomes, especially in areas such as palliative care, mental health and community care.
Transforming the NHS requires a comprehensive approach that promotes cross-professional collaboration. Contingency and transformation plans cannot be developed in professional silos. We need an integrated vision where all healthcare professionals work together, contributing their unique skills to achieve the best possible outcomes for patients.
The Health Emergency and Transformation Plan is a missed opportunity to correct historical imbalances and move towards a more equitable and efficient health system. By focusing too much on just one professional category and neglecting nurses and other health care professions, an outdated, hierarchical view of health care is perpetuated.
We call on the government to review this plan, and ensure that the voices of nurses and other healthcare professionals are heard and respected. Only through a joint and coordinated effort, which recognizes and values all parts of the NHS, can we truly transform our healthcare system and ensure a healthier future for all Portuguese people.
The Nurses’ Union will always be on the front lines, defending nurses’ rights and fighting for a more comprehensive, effective and humane National Health Service. The future of healthcare in Portugal depends on the appreciation and recognition of all its professionals without exception.
