Parliamentary Group

Assembly of the Republic-Palace of S. Bento-1249-068 Lisbon-Phone: 21391 9233-Fax: 21391 7456 Email: gpcds@pp. parlamento.pt-http://cdsnoparlamento.pp. parliamento.pt

DRAFT RESOLUTION NO. 387 /XI/2ª

It recommended to the Government to ensure the construction of the new Pediatric Hospital of Lisbon in an independent building inserted in the campus from the Hospital of All-the-Saints.

Paediatric hospitals have unique characteristics: they not only require adequate paediatric sensitivity and environment, as they need, still, of self-organized and organized space that respects the physical and psychological particularities of children. These hospitals allow to centralize specialized human and technical resources, essential in the diagnosis and treatment of some complex and severe pathologies of the child thus forming a specialized medical corps focused on the treatment of the child. Second António Gentil Martins, pediatrician surgeon, " a paediatric hospital provides an entire environment linked to the child that is not possible to find in an adult hospital or even shared ". Eugia Soares, a radiologist doctor, claims that " mixing children with sick adults in one same Radiology Service dehumanizes the service and reduces technical and professional capabilities. Pediatric Imagiology is very different from that of the adult, as it requires specific knowledge in the domain of anatomy, physiology, physiopathology and pediatric pathology ". And, still, " it is necessary that the high-range imaging equipment, accessories, anaesthetic material and the emergency car that integrate a Pediatric Radiology Service are adapted to the child population ". Ora The inclusion of the Estefania Dona Hospital in the future All-Saints Hospital will be able to involve the sharing of facilities by children and adults, i.e., spaces such as the burner, physiotherapy or intensive care unit could come to be used either by children, or by adults. On the other hand, the construction of a paediatric hospital in a campus hospital stay can be beneficial, as long as it is properly ensured the full separation of children and adults. This separation can only be guaranteed through the construction of this new paediatric hospital in an independent building of the All-Saints Hospital.

The advantages of the insertion of this hospital in the campus from the All-the-Saints Hospital arrest with:

 multidisciplinarity, as the proximity of diverse specialists can only be beneficial for the treatment of children;

 gains in efficiency, as the speed of performance and appropriate treatment will improve the quality of services provided;

 economy of scale, indispensable to take into account in a time of crisis like the one we go through and which most countries are advocating.

Asked about the matter, the Minister of Health acknowledged the importance of a pediatric hospital with autonomy, giving vague indications of changes introduced to the Functional Plan, but never presenting the current version of that same Plan that demonstrates a total autonomy of technical, administrative and human means in relation to the adult Hospital. By the foregoing, the Assembly of the Republic, pursuant to Article 156º (b) of the Constitution of the Portuguese Republic, deliberates to recommend to the Government that: -Ensure that the construction of the new Pediatric hospital of Lisbon inserted in the campus of the All-Saints Hospital be made in an independent building, so that the separation of children and adults is guaranteed. Palace of S. Bento, February 4, 2011.

The Deputies,