In Italy, the scourge of violence against caregivers in a health system at the end of its rope

Attacks on healthcare workers are increasing, with an average of fifty reported each day in the country. Emergency rooms and healthcare workers are on the front line, while the healthcare system suffers from significant shortcomings.

In Italy, violence against healthcare workers is reaching alarming levels. Around fifty attacks per day are recorded on average throughout the country, primarily in emergency rooms. In Foggia, in Puglia, in the south of the country, with three attacks in one week at the start of the hospital year, this violence has taken a radical turn. A demonstration was organized there this week.

A taxi is heading towards the hospital in Foggia. And surprise, the violence against the caregivers, the driver does not justify it but he understands it. “It’s not possible to go to the hospital at 8am and leave at 8am the next day. It’s not possible!”he insists.

And these remarks are not isolated. Impatience that turns to violence, this nurse experienced it during a night shift at the beginning of September during examinations prior to the doctor’s visit. “At some point the person became impatient and began to fidget, he says. And within seconds I was assaulted and thrown to the ground.” Emergency services and caregivers are on the front line. “We have all been assaulted, verbally or physically, over the years,” says Dr. Rosalba Fiorile, almost fatalistically..

The anger can be explained, doctors admit. The taxi driver’s remarks are submitted to the president of the Order of Surgeons. “He did not come across a bad doctor, but a bad structure, incapable of providing an immediate response to his health needs.”

Through these attacks, Italy is taking stock very brutally of the shortcomings of its health system. Waiting times are interminable, there is a shortage of at least 65,000 nurses, according to the Court of Auditors. Compared to national wealth, Italy spends significantly less than its neighbors on health. The private sector is gaining ground against the public sector.

“When a cancer patient has no place to spend the last moments of his life with his loved ones, he stays in the hospital, which is not made for that, explains Professor Serviddio, who heads the internal medicine department in Foggia. The public health system is limited to the hospital.”

“We are protesting not to send the army to the hospital, but to deploy the hospital’s activities throughout the territory.”

Gaetano Serviddio, director of the internal medicine department in Foggia

to franceinfo

Sending the army to patrol near the hospital is what the prefect of Vibo Valentia, in the far south of the country, is considering to put an end to the violence against healthcare workers.