Clearly indicate, in the two dedicated Program Agreements, that the areas in which the current hospitals of Busto and Gallarate are located maintain significant healthcare functions even after the construction of the new structure in Beata Giuliana: it is the first commitment contained in a motion that will be dealt with in the Regional Council. They present it Luca Ferrazzi (Lombardy Better), Samuele Astuti (Democratic Party) e Giuseppe Licata (Azione Italia Viva RE). The text was also signed by Nicolas Gallizzi (We moderates), Paola Pizzighini (M5S), Manfredi Palmeri (LM), Martina Sassoli (LM).
«In words – explains Luca Ferrazzi – the desire to maintain healthcare functions where the two hospitals stand today has emerged on several occasions, in various debates, in structures that would become complementary to the new one. But For now, there is nothing written. Here, with Astuti, Licata and the other signatories of the motion I share the objective of clarifying this point. Thinking, obviously, about Program agreements which, after that relating to the new hospital, must be processed for the areas of Busto and Gallarate».
The motion lists significant milestones in the path towards the single hospital, from 2016 to the recent past. With a spotlight on statements by the General Director of Welfare of the Lombardy Region, Giovanni Pavesiin the Gallarate Health Commission in November 2023: «The Program Agreement (on the single hospital, Ed.) it does not regulate and does not provide for the intended use of the buildings that will be vacated […] This use of the areas and structures of the old hospitals will be the subject of individual program agreements promoted, as we have said explicitly, by the individual municipal administrations… sees in these hospitals a possible strengthening of the territorial facilities, both community homes and community hospitals, which for the record, however, we have already hypothesized and placed in the area. What will happen in the former hospitals must be evaluated».
Furthermore, in the Program Agreement on the single hospital it is stated that, in the areas of existing ones, it is possible to proceed with regeneration «…also maintaining health functions…». «It’s called “also” – reasons Ferrazzi – there is enough to think that the health functions to be maintained in the areas of Busto and Gallarate may not necessarily be significant and may instead be residuals. The motion expresses the opposite will.”
The text contains two other points: the guarantee that existing structures continue to perform adequate responses to the needs of the population until the hospital in Beata Giuliana comes into operation (“The situation worries us – states Ferrazzi – due to the suffering of the hospitals and the time required for the start of the new hospital”) and the stipulation of Asst/university agreementsso as to strengthen the staff with the entry of specialist doctors.
«The motion – concludes Ferrazzi – certainly cannot be accused of being instrumental. I believe, among other things, it goes in a direction that could be appreciated by municipal administrations interested”. Considerations to which the councilor adds another on the note “petition with 13 thousand signatures” (see here). Presented in Health Commission (and cited in the motion signed with Astuti and Licata) seems to have ended up in limbo: «What do we do, do we archive it? It should be discussednot doing so would be disrespectful at the very least.”
