In a document delivered to the Government, which Lusa had access to and which makes a diagnostic on the functioning of the National Network of Integrated Continuing Care (RNCCI), and in which the ANCC presents proposals for solutions, the association recalls that the legislation only provides for the increased payment of 25 Euros for patients sent to Long-Term and Maintenance Units (ULDM). It states that it has received several complaints from associates saying that, in order to circumvent the legislation, so that the RNCCI does not pay for these treatments -- 750 Euros/month/patient -- patients with pressure ulcers (bedsores) are often sent to Medium-Term and Rehabilitation Units (UMDR). "With the aggravating factor that most patients with pressure ulcers have their rehabilitation conditioned, that is, they do not have the potential for rehabilitation, because they are unable to lift or bear weight on their lower limbs", it writes. In the document, delivered to the State Secretaries of Health, with whom the ANCC met last week, the association states that these patients end up being sent to the UMDRs "occupying undue places and for prolonged periods, which go beyond the 90 days recommended, when other patients who have the criteria for rehabilitation are on the waiting list". "Many of them are at home waiting for a place, without any support in the health area, delaying the entire rehabilitation process which, in some cases, due to the waiting time, is no longer reversible", it stresses. The ANCC recalls that this practice seriously harms "the rehabilitation and health" of several patients. "The justice and fairness of the system will continue to fail, because only the first 6 months of hospitalisation in the Long-Term typology are paid", the ANCC also writes, explaining that, if the patients still have pressure ulcers after six months of hospitalisation, the continuing care units "have to bear the costs inherent to the treatments". In the document, the association also gives the example of patients with pressure ulcers from UMDRs who are transferred/admitted to the Long-Term and Maintenance typology (ULDM), stressing that, in these cases, the Integrated Continuing Care Unit (UCCI) "does not receive any amount for the treatment". "By placing on the UCCIs the costs of treating ulcers that have developed in the contexts exemplified above and which, inexplicably, are not supported by the financial support system", it opens the way "to discrimination against the patients themselves, promoting an unequal situation without any logical foundation", it considers. It also stresses that this situation "grossly" violates the Health Framework Law, namely "the principles of equality and non-discrimination". The ANCC also stresses that continuing care units, regardless of the typology, receive patients with wounds that are not classified as pressure ulcers, but are wounds that "require as much or more care and identical costs". As an example, it points out "venous or arterial ulcers, ischaemia wounds (post-therapeutic status), chronic traumatic wounds (in diabetic patients, for example), diabetic foot wounds or malignant wounds". To solve the issue, it proposes that "the unfair discrimination of referring patients with pressure ulcers to the UMDR typology with the aim of escaping payment" be corrected and that pressure ulcers be paid "regardless of the typology to which the patient is referred". "The amount to be paid for UPs [pressure ulcers] should also be updated, as this has never happened", the ANCC also suggests, which also asks that the payment for these wounds occur as long as they persist. Also Read: Association wants an additional €1,500 per bed in continuing care (Portuguese version)