Turin: The initiative adopted by Turin’s ASL health authority to remain open on Sunday for medical tests and visits sets the example on how to improve healthcare and cut waiting lists, Health Minister Orazio Schillaci said in a note on Monday.
According to Ansa News Agency, the Sunday openings, first reported by Turin daily La Stampa, have shown positive results just a few months after the approval of the law on waiting lists. The note highlighted that dozens of facilities across Italy have already adopted effective measures to address the issue of long waiting times for accessing services.
The note emphasized that “the tools exist and must be used with determination” to reduce waiting lists. It is crucial for each Region and ASL to continue along this path with the aim of providing all citizens with an efficient healthcare service. The health ministry will continue to oversee the implementation of these measures and assist healthcare facilities in organizing services.
The initiative follows a decree passed by Giorgia Meloni’s government in July, which became law, aiming to cut national health system waiting lists. Under the legislation, regional governments are required to establish single ‘CUP’ booking centres for appointments, with monitoring of waiting lists assigned to the national agency for regional health services, AGENAS. Additionally, a healthcare control inspectorate is to be set up, and services offered during weekends if necessary.
The legislation also mandates that medical services be guaranteed through the establishment of new centres or through private clinics that have agreements to provide public services. Regional governments will set annual waiting-list targets for health agency managers, with those failing to meet them facing the risk of 12-month suspensions.
Regional governments, responsible for organizing public healthcare in Italy, have expressed concerns that the law could infringe on their powers. The law allows central government to conduct checks on waiting lists and instruct regions to adopt solutions if problems are identified.
