Portugal needs 14,000 nurses in the NHS

The National Health System (SNS) needs 14,000 more nurses to ensure minimum response times. According to the data, there are currently 7.9 nurses per thousand inhabitants, a figure below the European average.

The aging of the Portuguese population, overburdened services and the emigration of more than 30,900 professionals have seriously affected the system.

The vast majority of recent graduates express an intention to emigrate in the first years of their careers, a trend that is associated with the growing pressure on clinical services.

Currently, the shortage of nursing professionals in the NHS exceeds 27% in relation to the identified needs.

If immediate action is not taken, the NHS's problems will worsen and the Portuguese will experience even longer waiting times and more health service closures.

Andreina Tavares, assistant coordinator of the Nursing degree program at Piaget Algarve, states that "increasing the number of places is not enough. It is urgent to train professionals prepared for real challenges and ensure they remain in the country. The current shortage threatens the future of the NHS and also requires educational institutions to take a more active and responsible role in defining concrete solutions."

In this context, Piaget, which has a presence in Gaia, Viseu and the Algarve, has taken on an active role in the solution and advocates for the “need for a national strategy that combines quality training with effective retention policies.”

"Portugal will only be able to respond if it trains the nurses it needs now. Piaget is committed to being part of this solution, but believes this responsibility should be shared among schools, employers, and policymakers," she concluded.