Regional Council of Puglia – Regional Council: ok to psychological support in the oncology field

The bill “Provisions regarding psychological support in the oncology field”, presented by the regional councilor of the province of Foggia of the Mixed Group, was unanimously approved.

The purpose of the law is to introduce, on an experimental basis for a period of two years, following the example of what has been done in other Regions, the possibility for regional health companies to psychologically support patients and family members involved in oncological diagnoses through the hiring for a fixed term of qualified figures. This support is simultaneously extended to healthcare workers since, as will be explained in this report, this is also a determining factor for the quality of life of patients and the healthcare offering that is provided.

The Puglia Region promotes the inclusion of the psychological assistance service within the hospitals of the Region for cancer patients, for the patients’ families, for the oncology team and the operators of the oncology departments.

In achieving the intended objectives, the multidisciplinary/professional approach within the Oncology Network of the psycho-oncologist is recognized by inserting this figure into the interdisciplinary teams, as well as providing for the presence of the psycho-oncologist with a multidisciplinary/multi-professional team in the Diagnostic Therapeutic Care Paths ( PDTA) for oncological pathologies.