Friuli Venezia Giulia to integrate family doctors into community houses

The Friuli Venezia Giulia regional administration has reached an agreement to integrate general practitioners into community houses (Case di comunità) starting in October. This initiative aims to strengthen territorial healthcare, improve service accessibility, and reduce pressure on hospital emergency rooms by providing local access to primary care, routine visits, and prevention activities.

The implementation will be based on the specific needs of each facility. Initially, doctors with hourly contracts, working up to 38 hours per week, will be utilized. Additional general practitioners will only be involved if hours remain uncovered. Under the agreement, professionals who entered primary care roles after January 1, 2025, and have at least 1,500 patients, will not be required to provide additional hours in the community houses.

Regional Health Councilor Riccardo Riccardi described the agreement as a “significant signal,” noting that the rollout is expected to begin in mid-to-late October. The plan requires ongoing coordination between the local health authority, medical unions, and municipal administrations to finalize schedules and booking procedures.