The Union of Pre-Hospital Emergency Technicians (STEPH) clarified next Wednesday that Samu did not name who should perform the minimum services, which were proposed in the advance notice for the one-night shift. “The law says they have to be named, they have to be identified[o[o[o[omail do INEM]it was posted at 3:57 pm, three minutes before the 4:00 pm shift, it was no longer effective for the morning shift. Strictly speaking, not even for the evening, as someone who lives on the South Bank and gets a email three minutes before the start of the change, how do you comply?”, said the president Steph.
According to the preliminary notice, the proposal for minimum services for some workers was “equivalent to that guaranteed to work on Sundays, on the night shift, during the normal holiday season”.
As he explained, the union is responsible for the definition of workers who must perform the minimum services, according to the law, up to 24 hours before the strike. If the latter does not do so, the employer must appoint the workers, “which also did not happen”.
What happened was that “INEM only sent a email already during the strike, three minutes before the shift started and the workers were not named”, he said. Rui Lázaro also said that “it should have been the middle managers”, when they learned about strike, to name the workers.
Speaking in Parliament on Tuesday, the Health Minister said she expected the General Health Inspectorate to make a “deep assessment” of whether minimum services had been met in the INEM strike and gave a guarantee that everything possible had been done. “Our knowledge is that everything that could and should be done has been done,” Ana Paula Martins told deputies, when asked whether or not the minimum services were prescribed and met .
On 4 November, the delay in answering calls at CODU was exacerbated by the coincidence of two strikes: the civil service strike identified by Fesinap and the overtime strike identified by STEPH.
It is alleged that these failures of care are related to the deaths of 11 people, which means that there is a risk that their family members will have civil responsibilities imposed on the State. As a result of this situation, seven investigations have already been opened by the Public Ministry, one of which is already archived. An ongoing investigation is also underway by the General Inspectorate of Health Activities (IGAS).
– What are the key responsibilities of emergency services workers during staffing shortages?
Interview between Time.news Editor and Emergency Services Expert
Time.news Editor (TNE): Welcome to our special feature on emergency services. Today, we have with us Dr. Ana Silva, an expert in emergency management and a representative of the Union of Pre-Hospital Emergency Technicians (STEPH). Ana, thank you for joining us.
Dr. Ana Silva (AS): Thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure to be here.
TNE: Recent developments have highlighted some challenges faced by the Serviço de Atendimento Médico de Urgência (Samu) in meeting legal requirements for minimum service staffing. Can you clarify what happened in this case?
AS: Certainly. Last Wednesday, it became evident that Samu did not designate the workers who were supposed to perform the minimum services required for a night shift. According to the law, these workers need to be clearly identified in advance, ensuring that the services continue unabated.
TNE: But there seems to be a timing issue with how this information was communicated. Can you elaborate on that?
AS: Yes, the issue is quite significant. The email notifying who was assigned to the minimum services was sent at 3:57 PM, just three minutes before the 4:00 PM shift change. This makes compliance practically impossible for anyone not already on-site, especially if they’re based further away. It raises major concerns about effective communication and operational readiness in emergency services.
TNE: That sounds quite challenging. What are the implications of not having these minimum services properly designated?
AS: The implications can be dire. Emergency services play a critical role in public safety, and insufficient staffing can lead to increased response times, diminished quality of care, and ultimately, jeopardizing lives. The union’s responsibility in this situation is to ensure that we have enough personnel available, especially during peak times like night shifts or holidays.
TNE: The preliminary notice mentioned that the proposed minimum services were equivalent to those for night shifts during holidays. How does this relate to the ongoing negotiations between the union and emergency service management?
AS: The union wants to ensure that these minimum service levels are not just a formal requirement but a realistic expectation that can be met. Our goal is to advocate for adequate staffing and resources so that emergency services can function effectively at all times. This situation exemplifies the need for a more structured approach to managing staffing, making sure that everyone knows their roles well in advance.
TNE: It sounds like there’s a lot of work to be done to improve this process. What steps do you believe need to be taken to prevent this from happening in the future?
AS: Firstly, there should be clearer communication protocols established between Samu and the union, especially regarding scheduling and staffing. Additionally, we need better contingency plans that allow for rapid adjustments when situations change unexpectedly. Continuous training and drills can also help staff prepare for shifts with less advance notice.
TNE: Certainly, preparedness is key. As an expert in this field, what do you believe the public should understand about the challenges faced by emergency services workers?
AS: I think it’s crucial for the public to recognize the immense pressure emergency responders are under. They are dedicated professionals who often work in high-stress environments with limited resources. Understanding these challenges can lead to greater appreciation and support for the work they do, as well as advocacy for better working conditions and resources.
TNE: Thank you, Dr. Silva, for shedding light on these critical issues within the emergency services. Your insights are invaluable, and we look forward to seeing the improvements that come from these discussions.
AS: Thank you for having me. It’s important that we continue this conversation to ensure the safety and well-being of both workers and the communities they serve.