Regional Government’s proposal to establish palliative care network unanimously approved
Horta
Secretaria Regional da Saúde e Segurança Social
The Regional Secretary for Health and Social Security, Mónica Seidi, presented today, at the plenary session of the Legislative Assembly of the Autonomous Region of the Azores, the draft Regional Legislative Decree establishing the Regional Palliative Care Network (RRCP), which until now had not existed as an independent entity within the Regional Health Service. The document was unanimously approved.
In her speech, Mónica Seidi emphasised that the network will be “a structured and integrated response aimed at people with serious, chronic or incurable illnesses, while also covering their families.”
Among the main goals of the RRCP are promoting quality of life, dignity and the ease of suffering, in addition to ensuring equitable access across all islands.
The government official emphasised the importance of coordinating primary, hospital and long-term care, alongside social and community support services, always in a patient-centred approach.
Mónica Seidi also highlighted the contribution of healthcare professionals with field experience who were involved in drafting the legislation and will continue to be involved in its implementation.
The establishment of the RRCP is not based on investment in infrastructure, but rather on strengthening teams, training professionals and ensuring a dignified end of life for all patients, regardless of their location.
In this context, the 2026 recruitment plan provides for the hiring of 90 healthcare professionals for the island health centres, 28 more than in the previous year. Over the next three months, 58 vehicles will also be delivered to the nine islands, which are essential for community teams, representing an investment of about €3 million, funded under the RRP.
Training is also a priority, as it is recognised as a key factor in the success of palliative care. Throughout this year and next, training initiatives will be organised for healthcare professionals from Santa Maria to Corvo, based on the capacity of the Palliative Care Unit at the Divino Espírito Santo Hospital.
“The path has been laid out. It is important to adapt the best model to our reality, ensuring that all Azoreans have access to dignified end-of-life care,” she said.
The Regional Secretary ended by stressing that palliative care should be acknowledged as a human right, emphasising that “dying also requires dignity.”
