Three A&E departments at Lisbon's Santa Maria hospital switch to a new computer system on 7 November. All will stay open
The general, paediatric, and obstetrics and gynaecology A&E departments at Santa Maria hospital in Lisbon are moving to new computer software on Saturday, 7 November. They will not close: the hospital promises that all three will run at full capacity and has added staff to Saturday's shifts (Observador).
Santa Maria is switching to SONHO V2 and SClínico, the software already used by most hospitals in the SNS, the state health service. Together they keep patient registration and medical records in one place. A&E goes first, and the other departments will follow later. The hospital expects patients to be seen and discharged faster once the switch is complete (Notícias ao Minuto).
The hospital says it will try to make sure patients notice no difference during the switch, but asks for their "cooperation and understanding". If your case is not urgent, you can call SNS 24 on 808 24 24 24 first: they will tell you whether you need to go to hospital and, if so, which one.
