'I change neighbourhood and want to change family doctor. How do I do it?": here are all the steps to take

I am writing to you because I will soon be moving to another part of the city and I will be taking my elderly mother with me. While for me the change is dictated by a logistical issue, for her the situation is more delicate: she is dissatisfied with the care she has been receiving lately and would like to understand if it is possible to change doctor, also because the relationship of trust has broken down, as well as the distance. What should we do to guarantee her continuity of care in the new district and what are our rights in this regard?  (M. C., Turin)

The question touches on a central point of the National Health Service: every citizen has the right to choose and, if necessary, withdraw his or her General Practitioner (GP). The change can take place: for logistical reasons (transfer of residence or domicile); for organisational needs; but also - and this is a fundamental aspect - because the relationship of trust no longer exists. The family doctor is not just a prescriber of prescriptions, but the first health authority on the territory. For the elderly in particular, the quality of the therapeutic relationship has a decisive impact on the continuity and effectiveness of care. Precisely in order to enhance this relational dimension, Cittadinanzattiva, in collaboration with FIMMG (Federazione Italiana Medici di Medicina Generale - Italian Federation of General Practitioners), promoted the 'Couple Care' campaign some time ago, which emphasises how doctor and patient form a true alliance based on listening, transparency and mutual respect. When this balance is broken, the right of withdrawal protects the citizen's care pathway.

The operating methods vary according to the type of transfer. Transfer within the same municipality or ASL: if the change of residence takes place within the same municipality or ASL, the procedure is simple. First check: it is necessary to consult the list of doctors available in the new district. Each doctor has a maximum number of patients (ceiling) and can only accept new patients if he or she has vacancies. The mode of change can be online via the Electronic Health Record (Fascicolo Sanitario Elettronico - FSE) or the regional health portal, by logging in with SPID or CIE. This is the fastest mode and allows you to view available doctors in real time. Or through the 'Choice and Revocation' counters at the ASL of reference, with an identity document and health card (including the mother's, if acting on her behalf by proxy). Finally, there are the authorised pharmacies: in many regions it is possible to carry out the operation directly at the pharmacy.

If you move to a different municipality but remain in the same region, the procedure is simplified thanks to the single regional health registry. What to know: there is no need to cancel your old doctor; the assignment of the new one automatically entails the revocation of the previous one. How to do it? Online, through the regional electronic health record, or by going to the "Choice and Revocation" counter of the new ASL with: identity document, health card (also with proxy if necessary); self-certification of residence

In the case of a change of region, the procedure requires an additional administrative step, since healthcare is organised on a regional basis. First step: cancellation from the old ASL. It is necessary to communicate the cancellation to the previous doctor. Often this is done at the same time as registration in the new Region, but it is prudent to request a document attesting to the cancellation. Second step: registration with the new ASL at the offices of the new ASL of residence, presenting: Identity document; tax code; certificate of residence or self-certification. At the time of enrolment it will be possible to choose the doctor from those available in the district.