# Umbria healthcare workforce and service developments > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/umbria-healthcare-workforce-and-service-developments > Updated: 2026-09-07T12:05:45.000Z. Sources: 5. Developments: 2. The Umbria region is undertaking several initiatives to manage and strengthen its healthcare workforce and specialized services. In early September 2026, a regional recruitment process began for 122 permanent social-health operator (OSS) positions. Approximately 4,500 candidates participated in written examinations to fill roles distributed across USL Umbria 1, USL Umbria 2, Perugia Hospital, and Terni Hospital, with the goal of completing hirings by the end of the year. Concurrently, the region is addressing mental health and dementia care through a new partnership with the Istituto Superiore di Sanità. Funded by the 2024-2026 Alzheimer and Dementia Fund, this collaboration focuses on caregiver training and prevention strategies. However, these developments coincide with local controversy in Perugia regarding a proposal to reduce the number of mental health centers from three to two, leading to concerns over geographic coverage. ## Timeline ### 2026-09-07: Umbria implements new dementia care plans amid mental health center cuts Umbria is expanding dementia prevention and training through a partnership with the Istituto Superiore di Sanità, while facing local criticism over the reduction of mental health centers in Perugia. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/umbria-implements-new-dementia-care-plans-amid-mental-health-center-cuts ### 2026-09-03: Umbria healthcare competition begins for 122 permanent roles Nearly 4,500 candidates are competing for 122 permanent social-health operator positions in a unified regional recruitment drive across Umbria, Italy, with hiring expected to conclude by late 2026. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/umbria-healthcare-competition-begins-for-122-permanent-roles --- Cite as: Umbria healthcare workforce and service developments. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/umbria-healthcare-workforce-and-service-developments