A new extension for doctors to stay at work until the age of 72, 'but without being a primary caregiver', has emerged

There is a move towards an extension of the stay at work on a voluntary basis until the age of 72 for hospital doctors. The news, anticipated by the Minister for Relations with Parliament Luca Ciriani is confirmed by majority sources. It is the extension of a rule that was already envisaged in last year's 'milleproroghe' decree but that expired at the end of 2025 and that did not enter into the text of this year's 'milleproroghe' but will be reinstated during the parliamentary examination: the deadline for amendments is 22 January . The push for this is from all the majority parties.

The issue of the possibility of hospital doctors staying in the ward beyond the age of 72 has reopened after the expiry of the measure in the last 'milleproroghe' decree until 2025.

Since it was not included in the new dl milleproroghe - approved before the end of the year and therefore immediately in force - it created a kind of loophole that will be resolved with an amendment in committee. The decree is being discussed in committee in the House and the deadline for amendments is 22 January.

The entire majority agrees on the measure, also in terms of reducing waiting lists. "We will present an amendment to this effect," emphasises leghista Simona Loizzo, "because it is a measure that we believe is fair and in line with the requests not only of our professionals but also with those of the State-Regions Conference. The provision contained in the last 'milleproroghe' decree envisaged for hospitals 'the possibility of admitting, on request, until the seventy-second year of age and, in any case, no later than 31 December 2025, the staff referred to in this paragraph who have retired as of 1 September 2023, having accrued the age and contribution requirements for old-age retirement, within the limits of the recruitment powers in force'. With one important caveat, namely that 'they may not retain or assume senior management positions of complex or departmental structure or general level'.

"We are not prejudicially opposed to the rule, provided, however, that it is on an exclusively voluntary basis, that these colleagues do not retain the senior role and that they remain as tutors without affecting the renewal of the organic plans and careers," confirms the need to put in place stakes is Pierino Di Silverio, national secretary of Anaao Assomed, the main union of hospital doctors. "Our main fear, however, is that by keeping our oldest colleagues in service, the careers of all the others who have the sacrosanct right to see their skills and professionalism recognised, an ambition that is instead being denied in this way, will be blocked - continues Di Silverio -. We know that today one of the main causes of disaffection to public health and hospitals is precisely this cage from which we cannot get out, a senseless blockade that creates deep discomfort and detachment. And in response, what does the government do? It blocks the careers!". "We will be vigilant," Di Silverio concludes, "so that the rule is re-proposed with the precise conditions we indicated, trusting that in the broader reform of the National Health System, which is beginning to be discussed, there is no more room for extensions. Public healthcare needs stability in order to function well'.