Healthcare systems face funding and social care pressures in Italy and England

In Italy, the Alleanza Verdi e Sinistra (Avs) has criticized the central government regarding rising healthcare waiting lists. Representatives Francesco Allegrini and Denis Derni argued that the national government is responsible for funding shortages, noting that healthcare spending as a percentage of GDP has fallen to 6.2% under the Meloni administration, compared to a European average of 7.1%. Avs claims these cuts, alongside staffing shortages, drive patients toward private care.

In England, the government is moving forward with a plan to establish a National Care Service. Proposed by Andy Burnham, the strategy aims to address the link between failing social care and the strain on the National Health Service (NHS). An independent commission led by Baroness Louise Casey has been tasked with designing a roadmap to provide uniform, free support for those with long-term care needs. The initiative seeks to prevent hospital overcrowding caused by patients who are clinically fit for discharge but lack adequate social support at home.