Today – writes the Gimbe Foundation on its website – the state of health of our National Health Service is seriously compromised by four diseases: public funding (in the period 2010-2019 between cuts and – € 37 billion); immeasurable expansion of the “basket” of new LEAs, not yet collectable in a uniform manner throughout the national territory; waste and inefficiencies that lurk at all levels, eroding precious resources; uncontrolled expansion of the second pillar, which increases health spending and social inequalities, fuels health consumerism and risks damaging health.
The NHS, afflicted by these worsening pathologies, then lives in a habitat strongly influenced by two environmental factors: a not particularly healthy climate which contributes to generating inequities and inequalities, consequent both to the (not always loyal) collaboration between the Government and the Regions to which it is entrusted with the protection of health, both to the State-Regions and Regions-Health Authorities governance methods; “Majority shareholders” unaware of the common heritage and regardless of its protection, or citizens who, on the one hand, place unrealistic expectations towards a mythical medicine and infallible healthcare, influencing the demand for services and services (even if ineffective, inappropriate or even harmful), and on the other hand they do not hint at changing inadequate lifestyles that increase the risk of numerous diseases.
If it is true that there is no hidden plan to dismantle and privatize the NHS, undoubtedly the absence of a precise political program for its rescue emerges.
But what does the rescue plan consist of?
These are 13 points on which to develop policies at national and regional level:
- PUT HEALTH AT THE CENTER OF ALL POLITICAL DECISIONS, not only health, but also environmental, industrial, social, economic and fiscal
- INCREASE THE GOVERNMENT’S ADDRESS AND VERIFICATION CAPABILITIES ON THE REGIONS in respect of their autonomy to reduce inequalities, inequities and waste
- RELAUNCHING PUBLIC FUNDING FOR HEALTHCARE, in a consistent and stable manner
- REDESIGN THE PERIMETER OF THE ESSENTIAL LEVELS OF ASSISTANCE according to scientific evidence and principles of cost-effectiveness
- INTRODUCE DIGITAL INNOVATIONS WITH PROVEN EFFECTIVENESS to improve accessibility, equity and efficiency in healthcare
- DISCIPLINING PUBLIC-PRIVATE INTEGRATION AND FREEDOM according to the real health needs of the population
- START A NATIONAL PLAN TO REDUCE WASTE AND INEFFICIENCIES and reinvest the recovered resources in essential services and real innovations
- BUILD A NATIONAL SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICE, because social needs affect the well-being of people, especially those suffering from chronic diseases
- INVESTING IN HEALTHCARE STAFF, with adequate remuneration policies and planning of needs and courageous reforms on training and assessment of professional and managerial skills
- REGULATE SUPPLEMENTARY HEALTHCARE to avoid consumerist drifts, risks of privatization of the NHS and increase in inequalities
- ENHANCING INSTITUTIONAL INFORMATION to promote healthy lifestyles, reduce health consumerism and fight fake news
- ALLOCATE at least 1% of the national health requirement to CLINICAL AND ORGANIZATIONAL RESEARCH
- REMODULATE TICKETS AND TAX DEDUCTIONS FOR HEALTHCARE EXPENSES, according to principles of social equity and evidence of effectiveness of drugs and services
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