Outpatient clinic, elevator ko. The doctor: «Help me, or I must leave Rebbio»

Due to a broken elevator, the only family doctor left in Rebbio has his suitcase packed. Now he is launching an appeal to the community: “Help me find a clinic.” Paolo Iaria, the doctor with his practice on the corner of via Lissi and via Varesina, has to move to the first floor of the municipal building that he has used for years to visit patients in a few days. This is because the latest offer published by Palazzo Cernezzi assigned the building where the doctor works on the ground floor to the social cooperation Il Seme. However, the elevator is not working and, without it, the many elderly patients cannot go up to their family doctor. The dates for signing the contract have already expired, the Municipality has given the doctor until Monday 30 September at the latest.

“In theory, as a seller, I should pay to repair the lift – explained Iaria – without the lift my practice can barely comply with the regulations, more than a thousand old patients will ‘ get to the clinic, people who struggle to climb the stairs. The cost to repair the broken elevator is too high for me. I have no intention of arguing with the city or the cooperative that legally won the bid and has the right to use my studio on the ground floor. But I have to find a solution soon.”

The doctor says that he has already looked at other possible studies in the area. But the rules for opening a clinic are strict, the costs are high, the rent can reach up to a thousand euros and an investment would be needed to start the business. It is easier for Iaria to move around and join colleagues who have organized themselves in the center with shared clinics and common secretaries. Except in Rebbio, after Dr. Severino Rossi to retire at the beginning of the year, there would not even be a family doctor left. “My heart hurts – says Iaria – I would be sorry for my 1,750 clients, it is a burden to make them move from the neighborhood for visits and examinations. I would like to finish my professional career in Rebbio, a crowded place that deserves to have a garrison, the permanent presence of at least one general practitioner. For this reason, from the columns of the newspaper I appeal to any group or fact, if there were accessible buildings to open a clinic, I am still willing to roll up my sleeves”.

At the beginning of the year, after the resignation of Rossi, as many as 1,750 patients were reassigned to other doctors also thanks to the intervention of Asst Lariana. But not in the neighborhood at least, there is a lack of free places even in the surrounding areas, for example Prestino and Camerlata. For young doctors the city center is more attractive where there is more available. Even the latest announcements and training courses dedicated to family doctors have not seen new entrants to Rebbio, despite the fact that the citizens have promoted a signature collection in recent months.