Family-doctor coverage on Terceira has reached 96%, the region says
The regional health secretary reported 36 family doctors working on Terceira and signed contracts with two more specialists in Praia da Vitória. The island-wide percentage does not by itself confirm an individual assignment.
Archived after its publication day. Search retains this original briefing for background and accountability.
Archived 31 August 2026Residents without a named doctor should check their own health-centre record rather than assume the coverage rate means the assignment has already happened.
- The reported island-wide family-doctor coverage is 96%.
- Thirty-six doctors are said to be working in family medicine on Terceira.
- Two additional contracts were signed in Praia da Vitória.
- Coverage statistics and a named doctor in an individual record are not the same thing.
What the region announced
Azores health secretary Mónica Seidi said family-doctor coverage on Terceira has reached 96%. The figure was announced as two more general and family medicine contracts were signed in Praia da Vitória.
The region reports 36 family doctors currently working on the island and says improved primary-care coverage has helped reduce some use of emergency services. Those are regional service figures, not a guarantee about a particular consultation time.
Check the personal record
A high coverage rate means most registered users are included in the calculation, but a resident still needs to confirm whether a doctor has been assigned in their own case. Recent registration, an address change or incomplete records can affect the position.
Contact the relevant health centre with the user number and current address. Ask whether the assignment is active, how routine appointments are booked and which service applies while any update is pending.
Use urgent care for urgent needs
A family doctor provides continuity and routine primary care; it does not replace emergency treatment. Call 112 for a serious or life-threatening emergency and use the regional or health-line guidance for urgent but non-emergency needs.
If you are moving between parishes, update the health record and ask whether the change affects the health centre or named doctor. Keep a note of the answer rather than relying on the island-wide percentage.
What you can do now.
- 01
Check your named-doctor status with the health centre.
- 02
Confirm that the address and user record are current.
- 03
Ask how to book routine care in your parish.
- 04
Use 112 for a serious emergency.
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