Regional Government provides accommodation in Lisbon for displaced patients and accompanying persons - Communication

Secretaria Regional da Saúde e Segurança Social

The Regional Secretariat for Health and Social Security announced today the signing of a new protocol providing accommodation for patients travelling to Lisbon due to illness and respective accompanying persons. 

The Secretary for Health and Social Security, Mónica Seidi, believes "this will be a much more comfortable way of accommodating patients who have to travel to Lisbon and create a better balance between these trips and those to Porto, where accommodation was already provided on a stable basis."

‘’In recent years, we have received complaints about the enormous difficulties our displaced patients are experiencing in the face of rising accommodation costs, especially in Lisbon. We have made numerous contacts until we have found a solution that might not solve all problems but it is a big help considering the conditions of the flats," she said.

In 2023 and 2024, the daily allowance for displaced patients exceeded five million Euros, totalling 3.2 million Euros per night in 2023 and 2.3 million Euros in 2024, with the figures only up to September.

Under this protocol, patients are responsible for paying up to 34.42 Euros per night, corresponding to 60% of the daily co-payment (A bracket). The remaining costs are covered by the Regional Directorate for Health.

The accommodation under the agreement is located in Rua dos Anjos. Bookings are made by the Support Service for Displaced Patients, at the request of the hospital's Social Services in the patient's area of referral.

According to the terms of the protocol, six rooms are available at all times. There is the possibility of accommodating two people in each room, namely the patient and the accompanying person.

Mónica Seidi believes "the presence of an accompanying person continues to be a key support factor, even because this is an outreach service and patients are closely monitored."

Catarina Gonçalves Silva was appointed Coordinator of the Support Service for Displaced Patients in October 2024, as she has "the professional experience required to carry out the respective duties." Mónica Seidi also considered that "she is a professional for whom psychosocial support for patients is a priority."

She added: "Our patients are in good hands and will be very well cared for."