An appeal to Sardinia's mayors to find housing for the doctors who will be working in the new facilities ready to launch. Regional President and Health Councilor Alessandra Todde has written to the mayors, asking for "cooperation and sensitivity."

Given "the process of strengthening community care," with the activation of community homes and hospitals—"fundamental facilities for providing citizens with local healthcare services, continuity of care, and integrated management of their health needs"—it is "essential to ensure their full operation, including through adequate logistical support for general practitioners and healthcare providers."

Various incentives

In short, at a delicate stage, and with all the difficulties associated with recruiting doctors—in the latest call for applications, out of 496 shortages, final assignments were only 41, despite substantial financial incentives—every avenue must be explored to avoid the risk, denounced by the unions, of opening only "empty boxes." Thus, municipal administrators are urged to "identify temporary accommodation solutions for professionals." Because, "ensuring adequate reception conditions is a crucial element in fostering a stable presence" of doctors, explains the governor.

The solutions

Daniela Falconi, president of the National Association of Italian Municipalities (ANCI), emphasizes: "We are more than willing, of course. The problem in our inland towns is certainly not finding homes for doctors; the problem is finding doctors who will come to live there and practice their profession. In Fonni, for example, we have long since made a space available to the Local Health Authority (ASL), which is used free of charge as a clinic by general practitioners who agree to come. Unfortunately, this doesn't change the dramatic situation we're living in; there are no people willing to relocate. I believe we need to consider other solutions, for example, by amending the legislation to make it more favorable to the possibility of balancing family and work for young doctors."

The challenge

Ignazio Locci, president of the CAL, intervenes: "When, years ago, local authorities put forward proposals similar to those requested by President Todde, the community, especially among doctors, didn't always welcome them. I believe it's right to take up the challenge today. For example, if it were necessary to provide housing to operate the Sant'Antioco community center, the municipal administration would be willing to collaborate. Obviously, the health authorities should make the requests and initiate dialogue with local authorities. However, regional and health institutions should not forget that it's up to them to implement the appropriate measures to encourage the arrival of new doctors in 'disadvantaged areas.' I don't believe that providing housing alone is a strategy that can solve the problem."

The plan

In recent days, the Regional Council approved the reorganization of the Regional Operational Plan for Mission 6 Health of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), to ensure full achievement of European targets for community healthcare. The measure strengthens the network of community homes and hospitals through reorganizations, overbooking, and the use of existing facilities, "with the aim of increasing post-acute care services and beds. The Region thus aims to move beyond a purely construction-based approach, promoting integration between hospitals and the community."

With the new plan, Sardinia will have 76 community homes across the region, some "hubs," open 24/7 to serve larger catchment areas, with specialized services and medical and nursing care, and other smaller "spoke" homes, open 12 hours a day from Monday to Saturday.

Cristina Cossu

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