A new family health unit in the town of Custóias, in Portugal’s Norte region, is delivering improved health services to around 11 200 local residents. Built with an investment from the European Regional Development Fund, the new unit is staffed by a multi-disciplinary team of six doctors, six nurses and five clinical secretaries. Custóias Family Health Unit opened on 31 December 2019. It is located in the centre of town, providing easy access for patients who live in three local parishes.
- 29 January 2021
The European funds were crucial, allowing this project to be achievable and the infrastructure to be changed, so that our multi-professional team could provide the proper care to our population.
Space for the new unit was provided through an agreement with the Municipality of Matosinhos. The investment was for the conversion and adaptation of a former kindergarten on the site.
The remodelling provided the health unit with a range of offices and consulting rooms including:
six general medical consultation rooms; six nursing consultation rooms; a maternity/children’s room; two treatment rooms – one for dressings and one for injections and respiratory checks.Other facilities include a back office for administration, restrooms, a baby changing station, warehouse spaces, waiting areas and a larger meeting room.
The unit is open to the public Monday to Friday – 8 am to 8 pm – and meets a long-standing need for improved health services in the area.
Custóias has a population of around 18 000 and lies around 8 km to the north of Porto, Portugal’s second largest city.
Total investment and EU funding
Total investment for the project “Custóias Family Health Unit” is EUR 225 948, with the EU’s European Regional Development Fund contributing EUR 192 056 through the NORTE 2020 – Portugal Norte Region Operational Programme for the 2014-2020 programming period. The investment falls under the priority “Social Inclusion”.