Unanimous green light from the mayors of the provincial socio-health conference for the 2023 economic budget of theLocal health authority of Piacenza. In the long and detailed report the general director Paola Bardasi he underlined that last year a balanced budget was achieved in the first year entirely “outside the emergency” resulting from the Covid season. “All ordinary activities have resumed – he pointed out – even if the 2019 production values were not achieved in all healthcare sectors. We also focused a lot on some strategic projects carried out together with the mayors: despite the resources are substantially stable, we have achieved a balanced budget checked by the board of auditors on May 2nd”. It was the last socio-health conference for some of the mayors who do not return to vote in June, like the president Lucia Fontana who was thanked by many of her colleagues for the work done in recent years.
DROP IN NON-HEALTHCARE COSTS – At the revenue item of the 2023 budget of the ASL of Piacenza, the increase in the allocation linked to the regional fund for non-self-sufficiency was highlighted and also a significant increase in resources from tickets, while on the cost side, Bardasi spoke of “fair stability” with an increase of 0.9 percent including the burden linked to inflation, also highlighting the expenditure of 4 million for innovative oncology drugs. There was also a significant 6.2% decrease in non-healthcare costs, linked to the drop in energy and the tender procedures connected to Consip, which led to 5.3 million euros recovered. In a more prospective view, it was recalled that from 2019 to 2023 there was an increase in resources for the company with a 13 percent increase and “the Region has always guaranteed a balanced budget”.
FEWER ACCESS TO THE EMERGENCY EDGE IN PIACENZA – “Alongside an economic evaluation of the budget – said Bardasi – there is the mission linked to the health services provided and the prospect is that of substantial continuity between 2023 and 2024, also in relation to the strategic projects“. “The new hospital project – she said – has seen a speeded up process in recent weeks and yesterday (May 7th ed) is the transmission by the Local Health Authority to the regional body of information on the path taken for financing and planning. The second strategic project concerns the ‘clinicalisation’ plan with the University of Parma, with eleven locations already approved, the appointment of six professors, the presence of two researchers, and 247 doctors in training in all our locations”. As regards the reorganization of the territorial and emergency-urgency network, Bardasi provided some numbers on its development: “Since 4 December, the three new Cau of Piacenza, Bobbio and Podenzano, structures which overall recorded over 14 thousand accesses. There have also been less than positive experiences, however on average we have found in 78-80% of cases a satisfaction with the service which comforts us, just as another data comforts us, we gave a little respite in particular at the Piacenza emergency room. In fact, accesses of white and green codes have dropped by approximately 30%, from 21 thousand in 2023 to 15 thousand. At the same time, the overall demand for services increased by 12%, but it is not a problem if it meets an adequate response. Another significant fact is how the caseload of services has changed: after the start from the Cau in the Emergency Department, the presence of the mildest codes has significantly reduced. Two more Caus are planned in 2024 in Fiorenzuola and Castello”.
MAMMOGRAPHIC SCREENING TO BE IMPROVED – Bardasi then cited the collaboration agreement between the Local Health Authority and the Rizzoli Institute of Bologna for prosthetic and orthopedic rehabilitation activities in the Castelsangiovanni hospital, “for the benefit of all the citizens of the Province”. Another strategic project was the inauguration of the new one Mobile “Pet” in Piacenza: “Five and a half months after launch they have already been carried out 750 exams with zero waiting lists, is very important for the type of examination carried out”. Among the non-positive situations, the “experimentation of mammography on mobile vehicles with the Lilt in some municipalities of the province was cited, which was successful in increasing the screening of women, but work still needs to be done in this area, the balance cannot be said yet positive”. “As regards community nurses – he underlined – we have tried to work together with municipal administrations, particularly in the most fragile territories and we are committed to improving or implementing services, as an added value to be carried forward in 2024”.
ONLINE DOCTOR CHANGE WORKS – Thanks to the “Innovautenza” project 3500 practices were managed with requests for doctor changes on the portal without moving citizens, the “Zerocode” system was implemented in Piacenza, Castello and Fiorenzuola. Bardasi added that “we are bringing the direct distribution of medicines to community homes, also thanks to the implementation of the messaging service, as well as 680 thousand bookings via Telecup, health records and pharmacy network”.
A PRIMARY ARRIVES IN BOBBIO – The ASL director then focused on the “qualification and specialization of hospitals”. “The process has been going on for some time, we are trying to develop actions to benefit the entire province, as in the case of cardiological rehabilitation, with the primary office in Castello, but with beds also in Fiorenzuola and a rotation and exchange of skills and professionals with the Piacenza structure, dedicated to intervention activities. The process also proceeds centralization of surgical interventions in the locations that can guarantee greater competence and appropriateness”. In terms of staff qualification, the desire to create a network of directors was expressed: in 2023 for the Piacenza hospital, the Region was asked for a new function, diagnostic neuroradiology, while three new directors were appointed: emergency room, surgery emergency and psychiatry. At the Castelsangiovanni hospital, two directors have been appointed, cardiological rehabilitation and general surgery, and significant renovation works are underway, while the CT scan has already been replaced. At the Fiorenzuola hospital, a more functional arrangement of beds is underway, while the news of the last few days concerns the Bobbio hospital for which regional authorization has been received for the establishment of a primary office, while work on the Community House begins in November.
WAITING LISTS, PLAN TO INCREASE VISITS BY 20 PERCENT – Overall healthcare activity increased in 2023 with hospitalizations up 3.2%, surgical activity 1%, outpatient services up 8%. Satisfaction was expressed by Bardasi for some targets achieved in terms of time: in oncological interventions within 30 days it reaches 94% (target 90), ditto for cardiovascular surgery, while low priority non-emergency surgery needs to be improved , with 49% against the target of 70. On the waiting list front, the ASL director specified that “there will be a specific information passage after the reorganization resolution approved by the Region, we are producing a performance plan which, when approved, provides 20% more than those of 2023, not just those monitored which represent a critical issue in the area”. Among the critical sectors for expectations, dermatology stands out, where Bardasi admitted: “We struggle to find professionals”.
VILLANOVA PARALYMPIC CENTER READY IN ONE YEAR – Investments of 66 million euros over the three-year period were also reviewed, among these mention was made of the necessary additional financing for the construction of the Villanova paralympic center: Bardasi highlighted that “the decree for the 13 million loan is expected in July, 35% of the work on the project has already been done and completion is expected next spring”. In response to a request from the mayor of Bobbio Roberto Pasquali, director Bardasi specified that in the 2024 investment plan there is a CT scan to be installed (they are taking measurements in the premises), the expansion of the hospital structure to have more space , the construction of the car park and the mortuary”.
