Specialist nurses will indeed observe pregnant women and request exams. The president says it is a "historic step for the profession".

Specialist nurses will now monitor low-risk pregnancies and request exams, marking a significant advancement for the nursing profession in Portugal. The initiative, introduced by the Ministry of Health, aims to enhance access to healthcare for pregnant women. Following the publication of the regulatory dispatch, specialist nurses can confirm and activate care protocols, as well as requisition necessary diagnostic tests and preventive interventions. The implementation will be supported by the Shared Services of the Ministry of Health, which has a 90-day deadline to operationalize the project. The nursing board emphasizes the importance of this change for improving maternal healthcare access and ensuring timely consultations for pregnant women.