Reducing waiting lists in the healthcare sector: details and reactions

The Council of Ministers approved a plan for reduce waiting lists in the health sector, divided into a decree law and a bill. The Minister of Health, Orazio Schillaci, declared that these measures are the result of a discussion with the Regions, professional associations and citizens' associations. The Regions, however, have criticized the plan for the lack of consultation.

The decree to reduce waiting lists

The decree law, composed of 7 articles, provides for the introduction of a national platform for the monitoring of health services, integrated with regional ones, and the creation of a single regional or sub-regional Cup.

Visits not provided within the scheduled time will be guaranteed intramoenia or in an accredited private setting. There is a ban on suspending or closing agendas, the activation of a recall system to avoid services booked but not carried out, and the possibility of carrying out visits and tests even on Saturdays and Sundays. Furthermore, intramoenia hours must not exceed ordinary activity.

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Spending on personnel will increase by 15% compared to the increase in the Health Fund in the previous year, and from 2025 the spending cap will be abolished, with a calculation of the standard personnel requirement.

The decree also includes a action plan to strengthen health services in the seven southern regions benefiting from the National Health Equity Program 2021-2027 and introduces a flat tax of 15% for the additional hourly services of health workers involved in reducing waiting lists.

The main measures

The bill introduces an increase in 20% of hourly rates for staff engaged in additional services aimed at reducing waiting lists.

It also provides for the possibility for trainees to accept freelance assignments of up to 10 hours per week. The measures against coin collectors are also confirmed, allowing hiring through self-employment contracts.

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Furthermore, the bill raises the spending limits for the purchase of healthcare services from accredited private bodies.

The Regions will be responsible for establishing annual objectives for the reduction of waiting lists, used to evaluate the work of regional health directors and general managers of health companies. Depending on the achievement of these objectives, there are rewards, sanctions and, in some cases, suspensions.