"I'm only working as a hospital director in the Algarve because I feel that in this role my experience and my knowledge can be very useful. It’s not for career reasons, it is not for the money, and it’s not that I like living away from my family which is in Lisbon while I try to run the Hospitals of the Algarve,” claimed Pedro Nunes, the President of the Board of Directors of the Hospitals of the Algarve (CHA), in a further example of his deluded management style, this time on a local radio station.
The Nunes management style already has received strong criticism from health professionals, users and representatives of various sectors of society in the Algarve. Nunes claims he is not "hooked" to the place and suggests that he would be far better off if he went back to the life he had before; many now agree that this may be the best solution.
In an interview today on RuaFM, (www.rua.pt 'Impressões' 29th Jan) Pedro Nunes assured listeners that everything possible is being done at the Hospitals of the Algarve group, the name for the newly merged hospitals of Faro, Portimão and Lagos. He is intent on improving the service to the community and reiterated that the recent attacks targeted at him are generated, in general, either by a lack of knowledge or by the action of “10 or 15 doctors who want to see the back of him as he is messing with vested interests."
In a speech that alternated between praising the doctors and previous management, and criticising them, Pedro Nunes talked about several areas that have acted as catalysts in the current widespread dispute.
Nunes did not fail to mention the 183 doctors who recently signed a letter damning the recent shortage of medical equipment and materials, and who complained of being blackmailed and pressurised. Pedro Nunes said that he believes most of these doctors to be "well intentioned," although in his opinion they are misinformed.
Days after a demonstration at Portimão Hospital, and with two new demonstrations scheduled for Saturday and Sunday at Faro and Portimão hospitals, Pedro Nunes was keen to focus on those who were complaining, saying that demonstrations are easy and do not necessarily solve matters.
Despite the recent criticisms levelled at Nunes he managed to make some positive points, including the great effort of the health professionals, including his detractors, in service improvements and cost containment. He appealed to the public to have confidence.
"This concern that these people have registered, particularly in Portimão, in relation to their hospital is deeply unfair. Last year, we hired many more doctors than we lost.”
Pedro Nunes again denied, despite the testimonies of patients, that there had ever been a lack of medicines in his area, apart from some hormone treatments for cancer, and reiterated that there had been no closure of services. He blamed any shortage of doctors on the lure of the private sector where some doctors spent part of their time.
The Nunes management style alone is enough to ensure these problems will not be resolved by a collegiate approach. In as many words, Nunes is saying “I am doing you all a favour by being here” which will not gain the confidence needed to push through those reforms needed to create a first class medical service for the country’s largest tourism region.
The director's comments about his career and remuneration show a lack of committment and display the arrogance frequently alluded to by those he is charged with leading. A mixture of moaning that all this is beneath him and the alleged bullying of doctors will not get this job done in the best way possible and already there are predictions of widespread disruption.
In addition to local healthcare provision there is a massive influx of foreigner tourists and property owners each year who now need assurance that Portugal in the Algarve can provide the care and cover expected in a country that has had the benefit of 28 years of EC membership and associated grants.
