The President of the Republic vetoed the Decree amending the Statute of the Portuguese Medical Association this last Tuesday, 12^th December.

After listening to the President of the Portuguese Medical Association, the President of the Republic returned the Decree to the Parliament without promulgation, pointing out that the new Statute does not ensure the Association’s autonomy, particularly in what concerns to the competency of the medical specialities. 

In this regard, the President believes the quality of professional training is compromised by removing the Medical Association from an essential role in recognising the suitability and training capacity of services, as well as defining the training content for each speciality.

As a result, the quality of medical care and patient safety are compromised, as well as the very organisation and stability of the National Health Service (SNS).

The Head of State also emphasised that the new formulation of the medical act is inadequate since there appear to be overlapping competencies of the various health professionals. This implies a risk to healthcare provision and therefore was opposed by the Portuguese Medical Association.

With this political veto, the Decree must now be reviewed in the Parliament, which can confirm the decree by a favourable vote of an absolute majority of deputies in office, as per the Constitution.