Italy emergency services face restructuring and staffing challenges

Italy is seeing various developments in emergency medical services, ranging from large-scale event coordination to regional restructuring and local staffing crises.

For the Formula 1 Grand Prix at Monza, AREU has deployed approximately 160 operators, including doctors and nurses, alongside eight ambulances and specialized medical cars to ensure safety for drivers and spectators. Similarly, Azienda Zero provided medical assistance for the Palio di Asti, managing over 50 interventions during the event.

In contrast, regional healthcare faces challenges. In Abruzzo, the regional government is restructuring the 118 emergency network, reducing the number of medicalized ambulances from 39 to 15 and shifting more responsibility to nursing-led units. This move has drawn criticism from political representatives regarding staff training and safety. In Sicily, the 118 service in the Catania, Ragusa, and Siracusa areas is facing critical shortages, with reports of inactive stations in Ortigia due to a lack of medical and nursing personnel.

Additionally, in Paola, the FIALS union has denounced the dismantling of the intensive care unit at the San Francesco hospital, alleging that staff and beds have been reduced despite recent investments.