Public health in Italy

22.1.2018

Question for written answer E-000308-18
to the Commission
Rule 130
Angelo Ciocca (ENF)

In Europe, 160 000 hospital beds have been lost to cuts in the past six years.

Italy is the country with the lowest number of hospital beds: 319 for every 100 000 inhabitants; in the past 10 years, 70 000 beds have been lost.

These escalating public health cuts do not reflect the needs of the population and rising life expectancy. There are currently 12 million people aged over 65 and this figure will rise to 18 million by 2050; in the next 10 years, 60 000 hospital doctors will leave Italy’s national health service while new entrants will only number 40 000.

In 2023, there will be 15 000 fewer doctors.

This drop in numbers will mean a higher workload for practising doctors that will be contrary to EC laws on working hours.

The Italian Government is not enforcing EU rules to protect working conditions in what is a high-risk sector. It would rather pay fines than invest in the health service.

What action will the Commission take to promote the establishment of an innovative, high-quality health system in view of the — to say the least — poor outlook for public health in Europe, and in Italy especially?