Gemelli: here is the building site of 'Cuore', the 77 million euro maxi cardiovascular disease centre

The construction site for the Heart Centre (Cardiovascular Unique Offer ReEngineered) has started: the Policlinico Gemelli, with the decisive support of the Fondazione Roma, is bringing together in a new building all the activities of the Department of Cardiovascular Sciences and organising them according to the model of care that takes care of the patient's overall health problems and not the individual request for services. With a total surface area of 27,000 square metres, the Polo Cuore, which will see the light in less than three years, will house more than 100 beds for ordinary in-patient care, 28 intensive care beds, 16 day hospital stations, operating theatres, and advanced technologies for cardiovascular imaging and telemedicine for a total investment of approximately 77 million euros. Today in Italy, one in three deaths is attributable to cardiovascular diseases, which are the main cause of death in our country with approximately 220-230 thousand deaths per year.

This is a unique model in Italy and Europe, tested by the Polyclinic Department in recent years with positive results in terms of reducing mortality and containing expenditure, in continuity of care with the Gemelli and local health facilities. The health centre, with a total surface area of 27,000 square metres, will be equipped with 100 beds for ordinary in-patient care, 28 intensive care beds, 16 day hospital stations, 10 operating theatres equipped with advanced technologies for cardiovascular imaging and telemedicine. Space is also given to environmental sustainability: the complex will be equipped with a 180 kW photovoltaic system, a low environmental impact air conditioning system, and large windows to let in natural light. The goal when the centre is fully operational is to provide at least 2,000 angioplasties, 4,000 coronary angioplasties, 800 device implants, 1,000 cardiac surgeries, 800 electrophysiological studies, 400 transcatheter valve surgeries, and tens of thousands of outpatient and telemedicine services each year.

"Cuore is a cutting-edge project," says Massimo Massetti, Professor of Cardiac Surgery at the Università Cattolica and Director of the Heart Department, "that aims to transform the treatment of cardiovascular diseases not only thanks to state-of-the-art technologies, but above all through an organisational model built around the patient, in antithesis to the traditional system, which too often fragments treatment paths. "The realisation of the Heart Centre represents a strategic infrastructure for Fondazione Policlinico Gemelli and a significant step forward in the response to public health needs related to cardiovascular pathologies," explains Daniele Franco, President of Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli Irccs. "The new centre will integrate high-level clinical competences, advanced technologies and innovative organisational models, with the aim of guaranteeing more effective, sustainable and person-centred treatment paths. "For us, this project represents a significant investment that will mobilise resources, amounting to approximately 77 million euro,' explains Franco Parasassi, president of Fondazione Roma. 'Through careful and constant monitoring of the project, we will ensure that its social-welfare purposes and added value in terms of innovation will be respected'.

The new centre - to be built on the university campus - will have an iconic architectural footprint and will be a nationwide clinical and scientific hub for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular diseases. The hub will be built by WeBuild in less than three years on the hill overlooking the Emergency Department. The project, announced on World Heart Day, will be realised by the Webuild Group with its subsidiary Nbi. "With the realisation of the new Polo Cuore, Webuild makes available the specialised expertise gained through years of experience in the hospital sector at a global level," emphasises Pietro Salini, CEO of Webuild. "Investing in healthcare infrastructure today means investing in the future, in the resilience of healthcare systems and in people's quality of life, demonstrating how the integration of engineering and technology can generate value for communities."