Hospital CUF Descobertas – Lisboa

Terrible. I was looking for excellence and luxury in pediatrics and found garbage. The hospital had no security to give directions, the parking lot was full, I had to enter a vacuum-sealed private parking lot with no… access for a twin stroller. They need training or a doctorate to assist clients. I ended up arriving 20 minutes late and they cancelled the appointment. Terrible, I will not return to any hospital or clinic in this group.

Very good facilities. Good clinical and administrative team.

I went to the gynecology department at CUF at 6 p.m. with acute abdominal pain. I waited three hours to be seen in the emergency department and did not receive my test results until midnight. The waiting conditions were… extremely uncomfortable: there was no accessible toilet and nowhere suitable to sit or lie down. Despite being in severe pain, I spent around five hours sitting hunched over while waiting. The nurse who drew my blood handled the procedure very carelessly. She was not wearing gloves and did not sanitize her hands. She failed to connect the blood collection tube properly in time, causing blood to spray from my vein. I was told that the test results would take one hour, but I waited two hours for them, despite being in significant pain. Overall, the entire experience was exhausting and unacceptable. I give this hospital one star. It’s just a torture.

A totally demoralizing experience. Drew my girlfriend’s blood very poorly which lead to blood spraying everywhere, causing a lot of pain and distress. Very little care or attention paid to anything. Left waiting for… hours with no communication. Bathrooms fall far below any hygienic standard (absolutely disgusting). No one here seems to have any sense of urgency. Who’s in charge? Is anyone paying attention? Will we ever leave this purgatory? Simple self serving advice- avoid this place if you have another option.

Formal Complaint Against Dr. Sara Coelho Poeira I am writing to file a formal complaint regarding the care provided by Dr. Sara Coelho Poeira at the CUF Descobertas Hospital during my labor on May 17, 2026. I arrived at… the obstetrics emergency room around 7:00 PM, already in labor and 1 cm dilated. During the procedure, I was given an epidural. Around midnight, I was fully dilated (10 cm). At that moment, I heard the nurses calling the doctor several times, informing me that she had already been contacted. Despite this, I remained waiting, even though I was ready for delivery. The nurses even informed me that I would be taken to the delivery room, but the doctor only appeared at that moment, arriving hurriedly and pressuring me to deliver the baby quickly. It had been more than an hour since I was ready for delivery. During the delivery, I clearly stated that I had a birth plan previously discussed with Dr. Mónica Gomes, which expressly stated that I did not authorize an episiotomy, except in duly justified extreme situations. Despite my clearly stating that I did not consent to the episiotomy, Dr. Sara Coelho Poeira decided to perform it against my will. She left my baby in my womb for a long time, past the due date. After the procedure, stitches were performed that appeared to be incorrectly done. My husband even noticed that the area appeared to be open and poorly sutured. I feel that my birth plan was not respected, my consent was ignored, I was subjected to an invasive procedure against my will, there was a lack of adequate monitoring during the delivery, and there may have been a failure in the suturing process. I request a proper investigation into the actions of Dr. Sara Coelho Poeira and the care provided during my delivery, as I believe my rights as a patient were not respected. Since CUF tells me by email that she did the right thing And I, the patient who paid and had a plan for the perfect delivery, am wrong and the one who hurt me was right….

I AM STILL WAITING FOR ANSWERS On May 24, 2026, I gave birth to my daughter at CUF Descobertas. What should have been a significant moment in my life was also associated with an experience that left me deeply… dissatisfied and about which I still haven't received the clarifications I consider necessary. During the delivery, I felt neglected by the doctor who assisted me, Dr. Sara Coelho. My Birth Plan was not followed, my pain was, in my perception, completely devalued, and my Pregnancy Record was not filled out with the necessary information, after being lost by the team upon my admission and only found later, during my hospitalization. I was never properly informed why my instructions were not respected. Regarding fetal monitoring, although I was assured that the CTG would be monitored by the nursing team, it was my partner who had to alert the professionals, as he noticed something was wrong. Only later, through CUF's response to my complaint, did I learn that there had been a situation with a low fetal heart rate. I find it particularly concerning that I did not receive adequate clarification about what happened. During my hospitalization, the repeated and inappropriate alarms from the neonatal safety system constantly disturbed my rest and caused anxiety. In a maternity ward, the rest of patients and the safety of babies cannot be treated as secondary issues. But my dissatisfaction did not end with discharge. When I submitted a formal complaint to the institution, I received a response that I felt devalued the points raised, without properly clarifying my questions or demonstrating an individualized analysis of my situation. I am still waiting for concrete answers about what happened. I paid for healthcare and expected to find professionalism, respect, communication, and security. I didn't expect a perfect birth, but I did expect to be informed, listened to, and treated with dignity. The fact that the birth ended without me being informed of a serious consequence for the baby does not erase my experience, invalidate my concerns, or eliminate my right to answers. The birth of a baby cannot serve to silence what a mother experienced during childbirth. I am not just another administrative process. I am a patient who trusted a healthcare institution and who continues to fight for her concerns to be heard and clarified.

Terrible emergency room. Not even the most disorganized public hospital offers this level of service. Not to mention the conditions of the space, the extremely long waiting times (they must have 1 doctor, 1 nurse, and 1… receptionist given the pace at which things happen). I also suggest that in a future renovation of the space, if you are so ashamed of the terrible service you provide, especially since it is well paid! Hide the emergency room in the basement; the back room is not enough. Have some shame.

Emergency service

A good experience. Good service.

Terrible

I was very disappointed with my dermatology appointment with Dr. Margarida Moura Valejo Coelho. I paid €125 for a consultation where I wasn't listened to. I explained that I had already tried several different… treatments over a long period without success, and that I was desperate to find a new solution. I made it clear that I didn't want to repeat treatments I had already tried that hadn't worked. I tried to explain the treatments I had already undergone, but the doctor showed no interest in learning about my treatment history. Initially, she proposed a treatment that I couldn't have due to an allergy, information she took into account. However, she ended up prescribing another treatment that I had already tried before. There was no proper analysis of the solutions I had already tried, nor a truly new proposal for my problem. After the consultation, I contacted the hospital to try to find a solution. They told me the doctor would call me, but I never received any call. I paid €125 for a consultation that brought me no solution, followed by a complete lack of follow-up.

Regarding the adult emergency room, the clinical team and healthcare professionals were attentive and provided good care. However, the waiting room is unacceptable. The room is small, overcrowded with patients coughing… without masks, had no ventilation, and felt like it was 40°C. Relying on TV screens to announce patients' turn forces people to accumulate in these small spaces and is outdated — competing hospitals manage this much better through SMS or mobile notifications. CUF Descobertas needs to improve the conditions of the waiting room and communication with patients.

I visited the emergency department at CUF Hospital due to acute tonsillitis. After waiting approximately one hour with a green triage wristband, I was seen by Dr. Rute Pina Cordeiro. She was incredibly kind,… compassionate, and professional. She patiently answered all my questions and, most importantly, took my symptoms seriously. She genuinely listened to my concerns without dismissing anything and provided the appropriate treatment. I truly appreciated her empathetic and attentive approach. The male nurse who administered my injection was also extremely gentle, kind, and caring, which made the experience much more comfortable. Another thing I really appreciated was the excellent communication in English throughout my visit, from the reception staff to the doctor and nurse. As someone who doesn’t speak Portuguese, this made a huge difference. Overall, despite the waiting time, I had a very positive experience. Thank you to Dr. Rute Pina Cordeiro and the entire CUF team for making me feel heard, respected, and well cared for.

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all the doctors, nurses, and medical staff who took care of me during my recent hospital stay at CUF Descobertas. I was admitted on a Sunday night, quite late, and despite… the time, every single person I encountered was professional, efficient, kind, and welcoming. Within just two hours of arriving, I was already in my room receiving care, and the following morning, I underwent the necessary procedure as quickly as possible. I would especially like to thank the doctors from the Gynaecology and Obstetrics Department. The doctor who examined me upon admission was incredibly attentive and compassionate. Despite the late hour, she was gentle, reassuring, and genuinely kind. I was deeply touched by her attitude, and I honestly don't know how someone working such a demanding night shift can remain so patient and warm, especially when communicating with a patient who doesn't speak Portuguese. Every nurse and member of the medical team I encountered was equally gentle, caring, and attentive. I would also like to express my special thanks to Dr. Sara Rocha, who performed my procedure the following morning. She listened carefully to my wishes, took my concerns seriously, and helped me choose the best course of action for my situation. Going through this experience was emotionally difficult, and the kindness and professionalism of the entire team made a real difference to me. I felt that I was in good hands at a time when I needed care and compassion the most. I sincerely hope that the next time I come to this hospital, it will be for a much happier occasion. Thank you once again to the entire team for your outstanding work and for treating your patients with such humanity.

Very poor and unprofessional service. I paid the consultation fee to see Dr. Neuza Mendes, but she didn't even spend 2 minutes talking to me. She said she was tired, completely neglected a sensitive matter like… pregnancy, and refused to listen to my questions, provide proper care, or offer any treatment. After paying for a medical consultation, receiving this kind of negligence and lack of empathy is completely unacceptable. I do not recommend her at all.

Formal complaint regarding the assistance provided (or, in this case, refused) at the CUF Descobertas Hospital, concerning the behavior of Dr. João Paulo Rema (Gynecology/Menopause specialist) and the lack of… coordination of your services. This complaint is based on two consecutive episodes that demonstrate a complete asymmetry of criteria and a profound lack of respect for the patient: 1. October 9, 2026 (Friday) – 3:40 PM Appointment: I went to the hospital well in advance for the aforementioned appointment. Upon arrival, I was informed that the doctor had left early. I did not receive any prior notice, phone call, or SMS informing me of the cancellation. I wasted time and resources on a fruitless trip due to the exclusive fault of the hospital and the doctor. 2. October 13, 2026 (Tuesday) – Rescheduled appointment at 9:30 AM: Following the hospital's error, I was given a rather complex schedule for my routine. Even so, I made a considerable effort to attend. Due to setbacks arising from this same schedule, I was 18 minutes late, arriving at 9:48 AM. The doctor in question categorically refused to see me. I consider the doctor's attitude and demonstrated service policy unacceptable and undignified. The doctor assumes the "right" to leave work early without notifying patients who have scheduled appointments, but refuses to show the slightest tolerance or empathy when the patient is only a few minutes late — a delay resulting from a rescheduling forced by the service's own initial incompetence.