Italy Chamber approves healthcare professional reform

healthcare reform medical liability Italian Parliament professional responsibility clinical guidelines

The Italian Chamber of Deputies has approved a bill to reform healthcare professions, passing it with 143 votes in favor and 113 against. The legislation, which now moves to the Senate, aims to reorganize the discipline of healthcare professions and modify the civil and criminal liability of medical practitioners.

A key component of the reform involves amending the penal code regarding involuntary manslaughter and personal injury. Under the new rules, professionals will only be held criminally liable for serious negligence if they fail to adhere to clinical guidelines or established good practices. The law also introduces criteria for assessing fault, considering factors such as staff shortages, resource scarcity, organizational deficiencies, and the complexity of pathologies.

Additionally, the bill includes an amendment proposed by Fratelli d'Italia regarding medical professionals affected by pandemic-era restrictions. This provision allows healthcare workers who committed non-intentional acts during the COVID-19 emergency to apply for re-registration with their professional boards within 60 days of the law's enactment, provided they meet specific legal criteria.