# Healthcare system pressures in Italy and England

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/healthcare-system-pressures-in-italy-and-england
> Updated: 2026-10-19T11:49:43.000Z. Sources: 11. Developments: 2.

In early October 2026, healthcare systems in Italy and England faced significant operational challenges. In Italy, the Alleanza Verdi e Sinistra (Avs) criticized the Meloni administration for funding shortages, noting that healthcare spending had dropped to 6.2% of GDP, below the European average of 7.1%. This decline, alongside staffing shortages, was cited as a driver for increased reliance on private care. Simultaneously, in England, a proposal for a National Care Service was introduced to address the strain on the National Health Service (NHS) caused by inadequate social care and hospital overcrowding.

By mid-October, the focus in Italy shifted toward a formal assessment of the healthcare crisis. The Italian Court of Auditors identified waiting lists as a structural issue caused by organizational, managerial, and programming factors. While approximately 3.71 billion euros have been allocated to address these lists between 2022 and 2028, the Court noted that increased funding has not always resulted in proportional service improvements.

On October 19, a report from the Court of Auditors further detailed that long waiting lists remain a structural crisis within the National Health Service (SSN). The analysis revealed that while approximately 1.845 billion euros were allocated for the 2022-2025 period, only about 1.58 billion euros were actually utilized. The Court suggested the crisis is rooted in organic systemic problems, including inadequate monitoring and a lack of disciplinary measures for underperforming health agency directors. While Decree-Law no. 73 of 2024 introduced new governance models focusing on digitalization and enhanced control systems, the Court emphasized that the full impact of these measures can only be assessed once they are fully implemented.

## Timeline

### 2026-10-19: Italy's Court of Auditors identifies structural issues in healthcare waiting lists

Italy's Court of Auditors reports that increased healthcare funding has failed to significantly reduce waiting lists due to structural issues, staff shortages, and management inefficiencies.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/italys-court-of-auditors-identifies-structural-issues-in-healthcare-waiting-lists

### 2026-10-03: Healthcare systems face funding and social care pressures in Italy and England

Healthcare challenges persist in Europe as Italian political groups criticize national funding cuts for medical services, while England moves to establish a National Care Service to relieve pressure on the NHS.

7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/healthcare-systems-face-funding-and-social-care-pressures-in-italy-and-england

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Cite as: Healthcare system pressures in Italy and England. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/healthcare-system-pressures-in-italy-and-england