Rome faces critical shortage of emergency and pediatric doctors

Rome is facing a critical shortage of medical specialists, affecting both emergency services and pediatric care. In the emergency departments of ASL Roma 1 and ASL Roma 6, recruitment efforts have largely failed. ASL Roma 6 reported that a recent call for 23 emergency medicine positions received only six responses, following a previous unsuccessful attempt to fill 24 roles. ASL Roma 1 is also struggling to recruit doctors for the San Filippo Neri and Santo Spirito emergency rooms, prompting requests to the Lazio Region for authorization to hold new public competitions.

Simultaneously, the city is experiencing a pediatric crisis, with 49 pediatrician positions currently vacant. This shortage is attributed to professionals retiring without adequate replacements, combined with a growing pediatric population and increased demand. Families in Rome report significant delays in accessing care, often being forced to use emergency rooms for routine pediatric needs. Experts warn that without improved working conditions and retention policies, regional recruitment calls may fail to resolve the underlying public health emergency.