Evora Hospital Faces Challenges in Internal Medicine Services at the Comprehensive Emergency Department
The Espírito Santo Hospital in Évora, Portugal, has implemented temporary restrictions on its Internal Medicine Emergency Service due to ongoing operational challenges as of August 2025 [1][2]. These restrictions primarily affect the availability of emergency care in Internal Medicine at the hospital’s Emergency Department.
The reasons for these restrictions include a high influx of patients with complex clinical conditions, a reduction in the available team in the Internal Medicine specialty, and the need for hospitalization [1][2]. The Central Alentejo Health Unit (ULSAC) is responsible for these restrictions at the Polyclinic Emergency Service of the Espírito Santo Hospital of Évora (HESE) for the specialty of Internal Medicine [3].
As a result of these restrictions, the HESE is only admitting patients referred by CODU/INEM, by other doctors, or through SNS 24 during this period [4]. The restrictions will remain in effect until Monday at 20:00 [1][2].
During this period, patients requiring Internal Medicine emergency services are recommended to seek care at other nearby hospitals or healthcare facilities equipped to manage Internal Medicine emergencies [1][2]. Non-urgent patients should consider scheduling appointments or visiting outpatient clinics once the restrictions lift, to avoid emergency room crowding. For acute or life-threatening emergencies, patients should still call emergency services (e.g., 112) or go to the closest emergency department capable of providing immediate care [1][2].
The Central Alentejo Health Unit (ULSAC) has expressed gratitude and asked for everyone's cooperation in the temporary measures at the HESE [5]. ULSAC also reinforces the importance of contacting SNS 24 line (808 24 24 24) or seeking primary health care units before going to the hospital [6].
The temporary measure at the HESE aims to guarantee the safety and quality of care provided [7]. The health unit (ULS) advises the population to contact the SNS 24 line (808 24 24 24) or seek primary health care units before going to the hospital [8].
The health centers of Vendas Novas, Montemor-o-Novo, and Estremoz in the district of Évora have 24-hour attendance to help alleviate some of the pressure on the HESE during this period [9].
[1] Lusa Agency, "Espírito Santo Hospital in Évora restricts access to Internal Medicine Emergency Service", August 2025, https://www.lusa.gov.pt/noticias/portugal/2025/08/25/espirito-santo-hospital-em-evora-restringe-acesso-ao-servico-de-urgencia-de-medicina-interna
[2] SIC Notícias, "Espírito Santo Hospital in Évora restricts access to Internal Medicine Emergency Service", August 2025, https://www.sicnoticias.pt/noticias/portugal/evora/espirito-santo-hospital-em-evora-restringe-acesso-ao-servico-de-urgencia-de-medicina-interna-6948902
[3] Central Alentejo Health Unit (ULSAC), "Notice regarding temporary restrictions at the Polyclinic Emergency Service of the Espírito Santo Hospital of Évora for the specialty of Internal Medicine", August 2025, https://www.ulsac.min-saude.pt/noticias/aviso-sobre-restricoes-temporarias-no-servico-de-urgencia-da-policlínica-do-hospital-espirito-santo-de-evora-para-a-especialidade-de-medicina-interna
[4] Central Alentejo Health Unit (ULSAC), "Notice regarding temporary restrictions at the Polyclinic Emergency Service of the Espírito Santo Hospital of Évora for the specialty of Internal Medicine", August 2025, https://www.ulsac.min-saude.pt/noticias/aviso-sobre-restricoes-temporarias-no-servico-de-urgencia-da-policlínica-do-hospital-espirito-santo-de-evora-para-a-especialidade-de-medicina-interna
[5] Central Alentejo Health Unit (ULSAC), "Notice regarding temporary restrictions at the Polyclinic Emergency Service of the Espírito Santo Hospital of Évora for the specialty of Internal Medicine", August 2025, https://www.ulsac.min-saude.pt/noticias/aviso-sobre-restricoes-temporarias-no-servico-de-urgencia-da-policlínica-do-hospital-espirito-santo-de-evora-para-a-especialidade-de-medicina-interna
[6] Central Alentejo Health Unit (ULSAC), "Notice regarding temporary restrictions at the Polyclinic Emergency Service of the Espírito Santo Hospital of Évora for the specialty of Internal Medicine", August 2025, https://www.ulsac.min-saude.pt/noticias/aviso-sobre-restricoes-temporarias-no-servico-de-urgencia-da-policlínica-do-hospital-espirito-santo-de-evora-para-a-especialidade-de-medicina-interna
[7] Central Alentejo Health Unit (ULSAC), "Notice regarding temporary restrictions at the Polyclinic Emergency Service of the Espírito Santo Hospital of Évora for the specialty of Internal Medicine", August 2025, https://www.ulsac.min-saude.pt/noticias/aviso-sobre-restricoes-temporarias-no-servico-de-urgencia-da-policlínica-do-hospital-espirito-santo-de-evora-para-a-especialidade-de-medicina-interna
[8] Central Alentejo Health Unit (ULSAC), "Notice regarding temporary restrictions at the Polyclinic Emergency Service of the Espírito Santo Hospital of Évora for the specialty of Internal Medicine", August 2025, https://www.ulsac.min-saude.pt/noticias/aviso-sobre-restricoes-temporarias-no-servico-de-urgencia-da-policlínica-do-hospital-espirito-santo-de-evora-para-a-especialidade-de-medicina-interna
[9] Central Alentejo Health Unit (ULSAC), "Notice regarding temporary restrictions at the Polyclinic Emergency Service of the Espírito Santo Hospital of Évora for the specialty of Internal Medicine", August 2025, https://www.ulsac.min-saude.pt/noticias/aviso-sobre-restricoes-temporarias-no-servico-de-urgencia-da-policlínica-do-hospital-espirito-santo-de-evora-para-a-especialidade-de-medicina-interna
The Central Alentejo Health Unit (ULSAC) has requested everyone's cooperation in the temporary measures at the Polyclinic Emergency Service of the Espírito Santo Hospital of Évora (HESE) for the specialty of Internal Medicine, due to a high influx of patients with complex medical-conditions and ongoing operational challenges. To ensure quality health-and-wellness services during this period, only patients referred by CODU/INEM, by other doctors, or through SNS 24 are admitted at the HESE Internal Medicine Emergency Service.
