The programme was delivered at a particularly significant moment for the sector, marked by the restructuring of Portugal’s National Health Service and the creation of Local Health Units, which have reinforced the need for greater coordination, efficiency and integration between hospitals and primary healthcare services. In this context, it has become increasingly important for healthcare professionals to develop strong management and leadership skills to support more informed decision-making and respond to growing organisational complexity.
Designed as a customised programme by Católica Porto Business School, Roadmap to Health Excellence aimed to equip participants with a systemic and strategic view of the Local Health Unit, combining technical management knowledge in areas such as strategy, operations, finance, leadership and digital transformation with a practical, challenge-driven approach. At the same time, the programme served as a privileged space for peer exchange, fostering networking and the creation of synergies among professionals with leadership responsibilities.
This initiative reinforces Católica Porto Business School’s position as a national reference in Healthcare Management education, an area in which the School has a well-established track record, including 15 editions of its Postgraduate Programme in Healthcare Management, an extensive alumni network and a training portfolio accredited by several sector bodies. The School has also been invited by organisations such as the Portuguese Medical Association to deliver specialised training in different regions of the country.
The experience of Roadmap to Health Excellence paves the way for replicating this model with other Local Health Units. A second edition of the programme is planned for 2026, continuing this collaboration and the commitment to developing leaders capable of generating positive and sustainable impact across the healthcare system.
