Italy's Liguria region extends night nurse ambulance service amid doctor shortage

In the Valle Scrivia area of Liguria, local mayors confirmed that a night‑time ambulance staffed by a nurse will continue operating for a three‑month experimental period. The service, originally funded by highway works, adds to an existing daytime ambulance with a doctor and is intended to maintain 24‑hour emergency coverage in a territory with scattered villages and limited access. Mayors also highlighted a persistent shortage of family physicians, noting the recent launch of temporary contracts for doctors in Busalla and Ronco Scrivia and the designation of the area as a “deficient zone” to enable further recruitment.

At the national level, Health Minister Orazio Schillaci announced the rollout of “case di comunità” (community houses) across Italy. He said these facilities will relieve pressure on emergency rooms by taking on less‑critical patients and chronic cases, describing the plan as “a great innovation, a revolution in the national health service.” The minister emphasized that the houses will be placed according to regional needs and will expand territorial medicine, diagnostics, prevention and screening.