" Leaving the patients was not easy . Alas, fatigue won out , it's all the fault of the bureaucracy ." Dr. Luisa Vinci , the point of reference in Sardara for 1,500 patients, says this with pain, and it is audible. She was born in Furtei in November 1956, and after 27 years in general medicine in the spa town, first as an on-call doctor and then as a family doctor, she closed her practice on Viale dei Platani on Saturday . The waiting room was full, as it has been for days, with people queuing outside since 6 a.m. The patience of waiting until 9 a.m. was only due to the uncertainty of the future. Most people say it over and over again: "At least we're stocked up on supplies, prescriptions for medicines. They didn't bother with an official announcement, just to know what awaits us. The healthcare system is sick, but we are the ones suffering the most."

Communication

Vinci has been fully aware of this situation for several months, ever since she announced her retirement. Many have asked her: "Doctor, you're preparing the packages, we'll be forced to pack our bags. There are no doctors here, where will we go?" Her response was prompt, yet unclear. " I couldn't give any instructions. I simply told them that the health authority would provide a list of available doctors or other alternatives ."

The unsustainable load

Her story reveals the bitterness of a forced choice. "In November," she says, "I'll turn 70, retirement age. I could have continued for another six months. With all the good will in the world, I know I can't do it. It's not so much the home visits to patients, nor even the hours spent in the clinic. The workload and the bureaucracy don't help —Saturdays, Sundays, and entire evenings struggling with the slow online platform to send prescriptions and prepare certificates. All of this has somehow fueled her fatigue. And then, I admit, her age is taking its toll." With a hint of emotion, she adds: " It's unfortunate that at times I've given the impression of being stern, unhelpful, and a bit grumpy. One thing's for sure: once I was in the visiting room, I treated everyone with respect, without begging for the necessary time ." And now, what will she do when she grows up? "For now, a period of rest. Nostalgia for medicine? Who knows. It might be."

Notice to patients

The ASL management announced that, "Starting June 1st, Vinci residents will be able to choose a new doctor. The only doctors available are Pabillonis, Francesca Lai, and Eleonora Maccioni. Those interested are encouraged to make their choice promptly, according to the procedures established by the ASL. Pending completion of these procedures, to support residents, the ASAP clinic will be open starting Wednesday the 3rd, at the Sardara emergency medical service." The hours are: Monday 2:30-7:30 pm; Tuesday 8:00-11:00 am; Wednesday 9:00-2:00 pm; Thursday 2:30-7:30 pm; Friday 9:00-2:00 pm.

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