Regional Government increases number of beds in Continuing Care Units - Communication

Secretaria Regional da Saúde e Desporto

The Regional Secretary for Health and Sport, Mónica Seidi, visited the Integrated Continuing Care Unit at the Vila Franca do Campo Health Centre on São Miguel Island, following the completion of the improvement works in that facility.

Fulfilling the commitment made by the Regional Government, the intervention proceeded to solve problems in the roof, floor, windows and leaks that had resulted in the closure of some of the spaces in the past.

"Despite the investments that have already been publicly announced for the very near future, we are aware that it is necessary to continue improving the current infrastructures," said Mónica Seidi.

The government official emphasised "the satisfaction of expanding the capacity and the number of beds available in Vila Franca do Campo. We increased from nine to sixteen beds, so there is an increase of seven beds in the network, which is obviously an improvement for all users of the Regional Health Service."

As a result, the regional continuing care network on São Miguel Island has seen its capacity expand from 98 to 105 beds.

"The network is distributed among several institutions: Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Ponta Delgada, Santa Casa da Misericórdia da Lagoa, Clínica do Bom Jesus, Ribeira Grande Health Centre and Vila Franca do Campo Health Centre, whereas the continuing care units in Nordeste and Povoação are currently closed," said the government official. In this regard, she added that "with regard to Nordeste, we already have the approval of the Court of Auditors and we will soon begin the work, which will take place in the last quarter of this year and will begin precisely in the area of continuing care."

The expansion of this area demonstrates that the Regional Government is managing to respond to this need, which will continue with the creation of another seven vacancies in Nordeste. The Regional Secretary also highlighted the absence of a significant waiting list and the fact that even this one, consisting of only four patients, is due to compliance with the necessary procedures that entail the implementation of a specific healthcare and treatment plan for each patient.

Mónica Seidi took the opportunity to announce the new head of the Regional Continuing Care Network, Dr. Diana Freitas, who will take up her post in September, expressing her wish that "she will continue the work carried out by the current head of the network but also provide, with her experience, a new impetus to the network."