by InTrieste
Friuli Venezia Giulia is pursuing a major reorganization of its health system to better address chronic illness and an aging population, regional officials said this week.
Speaking at a public forum in Sacile, Riccardo Riccardi, the regional health councilor, called for a broad alliance between institutions, health professionals, and local communities to adapt the system, which has traditionally focused on acute hospital care.
“The pandemic highlighted the fragility of our system in chronic care and social-health integration,” Riccardi said. “People are living longer, and their needs cannot be met with the tools of the past.”
The meeting centered on the implementation of “community houses,” part of Ministerial Decree 77, designed to strengthen territorial care, reduce inappropriate emergency room visits, and provide long-term support for chronic conditions, including cancer. Officials also discussed concentrating specialized services in larger hospitals to ensure safety and quality, citing national data showing lower outcomes in facilities that fall below minimum procedure volumes.
Riccardi emphasized workforce challenges, noting a €120 million regional plan to attract and retain young professionals, and highlighted the importance of integrating health and social services for the elderly.
“There is no right-wing or left-wing model of health care,” Riccardi said. “This is about safeguarding a constitutional right and ensuring all citizens receive equal care.”
Residents can expect gradual changes as community-based services expand, with officials stressing that collaboration with citizens will be key to successfully transitioning to a system focused on chronic care.
