In 2024, the Portuguese Association of Private Hospitals (APHP) decided to establish its Clinical Council — a collegiate advisory body that supports the APHP Board in decision-making on medical and clinical matters.
The Council brings together renowned physicians from several Portuguese private hospitals who hold clinical leadership responsibilities. It serves as a platform for dialogue among clinical leaders and closely follows issues relevant to private hospital clinical activity. Its analyses have helped provide a clearer understanding of the conditions under which medical practice is carried out in the current Portuguese healthcare context.
The Council’s main objectives include:
- Discussing key strategic and emerging issues affecting clinical activity in private hospitals.
- Providing advice to APHP governing bodies and issuing opinions on clinical matters when requested.
- Taking positions on issues impacting physicians working in private hospitals.
- Promoting clinical excellence and patient well-being.
- Strengthening collaboration between APHP and its member institutions.
In October 2025, the Clinical Council organised the 1st APHP Clinical Forum, a highly successful event that brought together clinical directors, chief nursing officers from private hospitals, as well as a wide range of stakeholders, including health authorities, patient associations, and insurers.
The forum addressed important topics shaping the future of private healthcare, such as value-based healthcare, artificial intelligence, new health technologies and cybersecurity in healthcare, workforce training, recruitment and retention, and the evolving role of health insurance. It provided an important opportunity for reflection, sharing best practices, and strategic alignment around the sector’s main clinical challenges.
Looking ahead, the APHP Clinical Council will organise a series of clinical meetings throughout 2026 dedicated to scientific updates and the sharing of best practices among healthcare professionals. The first meeting which will be held in May, will focus on oncology, bringing together specialists to discuss key advances, current challenges, and clinical approaches in this important field.
