It is one of the largest and most renowned hospitals in the country and belongs to the National Health Service.

The history of the Hospital of Santa Maria dates back to 1934. After four years of planning, building started in 1938. It was designed by German architect, Hermann Distel, and was completed in 1953. It was considered to be one of the greatest achievements of the Portuguese State at the time.

In 2004, the Institute of Molecular Medicine opened on the hospital grounds.

In 2009, along with the Central Emergency, the Santa Maria Pharmacy opened, distributing medicine directly to the public. This was the third hospital pharmacy to open in the country.

The services provided by the Hospital of Santa Maria include:

Department of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Department of Medicine, Department of Surgery, Department of Children and Family, Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproductive Medicine, Department of Neuroscience, Pathology, Imaging, Immuno-Haematology, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Clinical Pathology, Department of Oncology, Department of Otolaryngology, Speech and Communication Disorders, Department of Chest, Department of Emergency and Intensive Care and Anaesthesia.