From missed holidays to poor safety to excessively long shifts: doctors' union denounces 50 local health authorities

Episodes of anti-union conduct, violations of safety regulations, working hours, holidays, limits on on-call shifts, free professional activity, and additional services, non-application of protections against aggression, and failure to provide contractual funds. These and other breaches are allegedly the fault of numerous health care companies from the north to the south of Italy: the photograph comes from the main union of senior doctors, the Anaao Assomed, which has reported 50 health care companies in various regions to the judicial authorities.

Complaints to health authorities and irregularities

"You violate laws and contracts," says the secretary of Anaao Pierino Di Silverio, "and this is only the beginning. Healthcare companies, explains the union, are 'failing to apply the legislative and contractual instruments in their possession to ensure the best possible working conditions for medical directors'. This is a situation found throughout Italy. At this early stage, there are 50 companies reported in 16 regions. Many are the concrete examples brought by the union at the press conference: among the northern regions, in Piedmont Anaao has denounced the Asl of Turin and all the 10 health companies in Liguria following attacks on staff and for non-compliance with safety regulations; in Emilia all the 13 health companies for non-compliance with the rules on the essential right to take holidays. In the Centre, among others, Anaao denounced all 11 companies in Tuscany for anti-union behaviour; in Lazio, the Ophthalmic Hospital, denounced because it does not recognise the incentive provided for by a regional agreement to the doctors in the Emergency Room, promised to recognise the payment. In the Marche region, Anaao has denounced the Aou Ospedali riuniti of Ancona because it forces doctors to work excessive 'on-call' shifts. Among the complaints in the South and Islands, there is the one against the Taranto Asl for irregularities including the improper use of funds for overtime. In Sardinia, the Arnas Brotzu of Cagliari was denounced for violation of the discipline of appointments and therefore anti-union conduct, as well as the Asp Palermo.

"From dream job to nightmare job".

'The doctor's job in Italy today is no longer seen as the dream job, but the job of nightmares. We would expect,' says Di Silverio, 'that the healthcare companies would be on our side, and therefore on the side of the citizens, instead our survey reveals a disarming picture. At the end of this series of actions we will create, hopefully by the autumn, a white paper with all the violations recorded so that everyone knows what is going on. Defending professionals means defending the SSN. Either we change, or we die'. And again: 'Too often we feel alone, abandoned in the face of problems that threaten our ability to work serenely,' stressed the Anaao leader. 'This situation is no longer sustainable in any reality of our country. However, one thing must be clear according to Di Silverio: 'We are not asking for favours, we are asking for collaboration. A collaboration that must start from respect for the rules, contracts, and the professional dignity of those who every day,' he concludes, 'work for public health.