ROMA (ITALPRESS) – The central control section on the administrations of the Court of Auditors, approved the report on “The implementation of measures aimed at reducing waiting lists”, examining the progress of interventions aimed at shortening access times to health services, as well as the use of financial resources for the purpose.
The analysis shows that waiting lists continue to represent a structural criticality of the health system, linked not only to the effects of pandemic, but also to organizational, managerial and programmer factors. Despite the strengthening of the regulatory and financial framework – the Court emphasizes – there are ongoing difficulties, shortages of personnel and territorial differences that limit the effectiveness of interventions. In addition, the increase in funding has not always produced proportionate results in terms of paid performance and reduction of waiting times.
In the period 2022-2028, the resources for the containment of the waiting lists amounted to approximately 3.71 billion, while in the four-year period 2022-2025, according to the data of the Ministry of Health, in the face of government allocations of approximately 1,845 billion, approximately 1,58 billion were used. The lack of completeness and uniformity of the information transmitted by the Regions, however, does not facilitate a precise assessment of the use of the funds and the results achieved.
In this context, the measures introduced by Legislative Decree No. 73 of 2024 outline a new governance model, based on the strengthening of control systems, digitization and timely availability of data. This system, according to the accounting system, could favour a structural improvement of the system, whose effects can be evaluated only after the full implementation of the measures envisaged. The analysis confirms difficulty in extending the health offer, even in the presence of adequate financial resources, due to the lack of staff, especially specialist.
It therefore calls for the need to complete the reform of territorial assistance, to improve the takeover, reduce improper demand and relieve pressure on hospital structures and specialist services. The accounting magistracy therefore recommends that the implementation of Legislative Decree No. 73 of 2024 be accelerated, complete the interoperability of GNP, strengthen control over the use of resources and the results obtained, improve the programming of welfare requirements and adopt structural interventions to overcome staff shortages.
For the Court, it is also necessary to make the mechanisms of responsibility more effective, identifying quickly the defaults, applying the sanctions envisaged and exercising, to resort to the relative conditions, the substitute powers. A lasting reduction in waiting times and a timely and fair access to health services require – concludes the document – transparency, continuous monitoring, institutional responsibility, efficient use of resources and a punctual reporting of results.
– Photo Ipa Agency-
(ITALPRESS).
