In Lombardy, clinics in the evening and on Saturdays to reduce waiting lists

Clinics also open on Saturdays and in the evening (from 4pm to 8pm), in Lombardy, to reduce waiting lists. AND one of the new features nThe resolution approved yesterday (Monday 22 April) by the regional council. A package from beyond 61 million euros to guarantee more than 7 million performances.The resolution also provides for the monitoring of compliance with the priority classes indicated by the medical ‘prescription’ for the provision of the service and indications on the timing of carrying out the main tests and visits. With a view to simplifying access to care, the check-up service prescribed by the specialist must be booked by the same facility where the visit is carried out to guarantee a path to taking care of the patient.

In detail, public structures will have to carry out 4.1 million services, accredited private individuals 3.1 million. Of the total 7 million, 2.8 million services will have to be guaranteed in the Milan ATS area. To increase the number of services, therefore, the Region has allocated 61 million euros: 2/3 to public providers and 1/3 to private providers. The Region itself will establish the places to be made available in the diaries between now and the end of the year. Based on the waiting lists, staff and timing identified, each facility will have to perform a specific number of services. For their part, the Health Protection Agencies (ATS) will have to identify further services that need improvement in terms of waiting times. To guarantee the effectiveness of the measures adopted, the General Welfare Directorate will carry out monthly monitoring with the aim of promptly identifying any critical issues in the territories.

In the event of unavailability of the service within the expected times, the structure takes action to identify other bodies (public or private accredited) in the area; places the citizen on the waiting list to schedule the appointment within the time frame and will ultimately provide the service as a freelancer with costs at his/her own expense (excluding tickets). In case of renouncing the first availability offered within the time limit, within the assistance territory, it is not possible to request the freelance service paid by the structure. If you independently and voluntarily book in a private or freelance manner, it is not possible to request reimbursement of the expense incurred.

The times for the provision of certain services

The resolution also provides for the delivery times of the results of screening tests to be reduced. In particular:

– mammography screening result released 5 days from the date of the service. The Screening Centers will have to notify patients with a positive result within 3 days and no later than 5 days;

– result of the fecal occult blood test, for colorectal screening, published in the Electronic Health Record 7 days from the date of the result. The Screening Centers will have to notify patients with a positive result within 3 days and no later than 6 days.

There is also an invitation to all people entitled to carry out breast screening (women aged between 45-74 years), colorectal screening (aged between 50-74 years), cervical screening ( aged between 25-29 years and 46-64 years).

Furthermore, in-depth examinations of these performances must respect defined times:

– colon and rectum within 30 days of the first positive level test;

– mammographic screening within 28 days of the first positive test;

– cervical screening within 45 days of the first positive test.