The first house of the Perugia community was inaugurated on Friday in Ponte San Giovanni, which is located on the first floor of the Apogeo shopping center. The structure, already home to the Health Center and the Poliambulatorio, has been completely reorganized to offer more accessible and efficient socio-health services, in particular for patients with chronic pathologies. The restyling made it possible to optimize diagnostic and specialist clinics, improve the spaces dedicated to nursing, consultation and rehabilitation activities and enhance the integration between basic doctors, specialists and territorial services such as territorial functional aggregations (AFT) and units of continuity assistance (Uca).
Illa Los Of The One of the most innovative elements of the community’s house is the PUA (single access point), designed as the first point of welcome and orientation for citizens. This counter allows you to carry out an immediate evaluation of health and social needs, thanks to the collaboration between nursing staff, social and administrative assistants of the Usl Umbria 1 and the Municipality of Perugia, leader of the social area 2 (which also includes Corciano and Torgiano). In the new spaces, a multifunctional meeting room was also set up, also intended for local associations, underlining the desire to create a point of reference for the community, not only for care and prevention, but also for the promotion of health and the social integration.
The reorganization The renovation works, divided into several phases and completed last December, were financed with 100 thousand euros from the PNRR. Among the other, the president of the Region Stefania Proietti, the mayor of Perugia Vittoria Ferdinandi and the general manager of the USL Umbria 1 Nicola Nicola Nardella participated in the inauguration. During the ceremony, Nardella underlined the importance of the structure: «What we are experiencing today is a very important moment of sharing. This house hosts numerous socio-health services, representing a heritage for the community. The single access point is an innovative model that combines the social aspect with the healthcare aspect, the result of a synergy with the municipalities of the social area “.
The comments Ferdinandi defined the inauguration “a goal that is also a starting point”, underlining how health is one of the main challenges of the present: “We must rethink the health system, strengthening the territorial dimension of the socio-health structures. The PUA represents an organizational model that responds to the complexity of the demand for health, considering not only physical, but also psychological and social well -being ». The councilor for social policies, Costanza Spera, highlighted the importance of integration between health and welfare services: “Only through a coordinated taking charge is it possible to offer adequate answers to people with complex problems, especially in a context of aging of the population. The PUA is designed for this: evaluate the needs of the person in a multidisciplinary way ».
Projects Finally, President Proietti reiterated the commitment to assistance closer to citizens: «This is the first home of the community that inaugurate and I am happy to be here. Our goal is to make socio-health services more accessible, even in mountainous areas, so that no one is left behind. The challenge is great, but we must work to return to being national excellence. ” Proietti then explained that in the past few hours the junta has included 12 people in the staff who will take care of healthcare: “This – he said – is a small but great signal”.
The question Of the community houses there was talk on Friday in the regional council where Francesco Filipponi and Maria Grazia Proietti (Pd) presented a question to the junta to ask what measures intended to adopt to recover the delays in activating the houses of the in Umbria. The DEMs recall that the PNRR provides funds to enhance territorial health, with 17 community houses classified as hubs, intended to improve access to health services and reduce pressure on hospitals. However, they highlight that the works proceed slowly, with the risk of not respecting the deadlines provided within the first quarter 2026. According to the OpenPnrr.it data, half of the houses provided in the regional operational plan was spent less than 10 percent of the funds available. Failure to complete the structures, explain, could compromise the reform of territorial health and penalize Umbrian citizens.
Transforming Healthcare: A Conversation on the New Perugia Community house with Dr. Elena Marini
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The inauguration of the Perugia Community House marks a notable step forward in improving local healthcare services.Designed to address the needs of patients with chronic conditions, this innovative facility integrates health and social services to create a more accessible and efficient system. We sat down with Dr.Elena Marini, a leading expert in public health and territorial healthcare reform, to discuss the importance of this project and its potential impact on the community.
The Vision Behind the Perugia Community House
Senior Editor: Dr. Marini, can you tell us about the core vision behind the Perugia Community House and how it aims to transform local healthcare?
Dr. Elena marini: Absolutely. The Perugia Community House is a response to the growing need for a more integrated approach to healthcare.Traditionally, patients with chronic conditions often face fragmented care, moving between hospitals, clinics, and social services. This facility centralizes these services under one roof, making it easier for patients to access care. The single access point (PUA) is a key innovation here—it streamlines the process by providing immediate evaluation and orientation for health and social needs. This model not only improves efficiency but also fosters a sense of community and support.
Innovations in Healthcare Delivery
Senior Editor: One of the most talked-about features is the PUA. How does it work, and why is it so groundbreaking?
Dr. Elena Marini: The PUA is designed as the first point of contact for citizens. When a patient arrives, they are greeted by a team comprising nursing staff, social workers, and administrative assistants. This team conducts an initial assessment to determine the patient’s needs and directs them to the appropriate services. What makes it groundbreaking is its multidisciplinary approach.By combining health and social care,the PUA addresses not just physical health but also psychological and social well-being. This holistic model is particularly beneficial for patients with complex needs, such as the elderly or those with chronic conditions.
collaboration and Community Involvement
Senior Editor: the project seems to emphasize collaboration between various stakeholders. Can you elaborate on how this works?
Dr. Elena Marini: Collaboration is at the heart of this project. The Perugia community House is a joint effort between the USL Umbria 1 healthcare system, the Municipality of Perugia, and local associations.This partnership ensures that services are tailored to the community’s specific needs. For example, the multifunctional meeting room is not just for clinical use but also serves as a space for local organizations to host events and activities. This approach strengthens community ties and promotes health in a broader sense, beyond just medical care.
Challenges and Future Outlook
Senior Editor: What are some of the challenges in implementing this model,and what’s next for community healthcare in Umbria?
Dr. Elena Marini: One of the main challenges is ensuring that the infrastructure and staffing are in place to meet the demands of the population. While the Perugia Community House is a promising start, there are still 16 more community houses planned for Umbria. Funding and timely execution are critical,especially given the deadlines set by the PNRR. Though, the potential benefits are immense. If these facilities are successfully implemented, they could considerably reduce the pressure on hospitals and improve access to care, particularly in underserved areas like mountainous regions.
Conclusion
The Perugia Community House represents a bold step toward a more integrated and community-focused healthcare system. By combining health and social services, the facility addresses the diverse needs of patients while fostering collaboration and innovation. As Dr. Elena Marini highlighted, the success of this model hinges on sustained investment and community engagement. If implemented effectively, it could serve as a blueprint for healthcare reform not just in Umbria, but across Italy and beyond.
