Waiting Lists and Staff Shortages Threaten the Effectiveness of the Right to Health
According to two recent reports presented by Cittadinanzattiva, waiting lists, staff shortages, and territorial heterogeneity continue to put the effectiveness of the right to health at risk. The analysis of over 16,000 citizen reports reveals that 47.8% of concerns relate to difficulties in accessing healthcare services, primarily due to waiting lists. The waiting times for certain medical procedures are alarming, with up to 360 days for a CT scan, 720 days for a colonoscopy, and 500 days for the first specialist visits.
Chronic Issues with Waiting Lists and Access to Care
The reports highlight the urgent need for a new National Health Plan and the full implementation of reforms to address these issues. Anna Lisa Mandorino, General Secretary of Cittadinanzattiva, emphasizes the importance of participation, interconnections, and synergy to give new oxygen to a concept of health based on people, whether professionals or citizens. The analysis of 16,854 reports contained in Cittadinanzattiva’s 2025 Civic Report reveals that 47.8% of concerns relate to difficulties in accessing healthcare services, with waiting lists being the most significant problem facing the NHS.
Territorial Inequalities and Lack of Transparency
The reports also highlight strong territorial inequalities, with access to care still dependent on the region of residence. Only 8 out of 20 regions provided complete data on waiting lists, while 5 did not respond, and the others provided partial information. This lack of transparency and monitoring of key indicators is a significant concern, with some regions guaranteeing active care for citizens and others leaving everything to bureaucracy or not providing information. A clear North-South divide is evident, with greater transparency and effectiveness in the Centre-North and significant shortcomings in the South.
Access to Treatment: A Luxury for Those Who Can Afford It
For chronic and rare patients, access to treatment is becoming a luxury due to excessive waiting times, renunciations of treatment, and increasing costs borne by citizens. The report highlights a healthcare system in difficulty in guaranteeing continuity and sustainability of care, with 83.6% of patients indicating waiting times as the main critical issue. Over 55% of patients have given up at least one visit or test in the last 12 months due to the unavailability of services in the NHS.
Proposals for a Stronger, Fairer, and More Citizen-Centric NHS
Cittadinanzattiva proposes seven key priorities to make the National Health Service stronger, fairer, and more responsive to citizens’ needs. These include a new national health plan, strengthening local services, investments in personnel, prevention, and digital infrastructure. The association also emphasizes the need for the uniform guarantee of Essential Levels of Assistance (Lea) throughout the territory and the acceleration of the implementation of Ministerial Decree 77.
A Response from the Ministry of Health
Francesco Saverio Mennini, head of the Planning Department of the Ministry of Health, acknowledges the concerns but notes that despite perceptions of resignation and anger, the National Health Service has not been reduced. Official data show real and targeted increases in resources, with significant investments in staff, prevention, hospitals, and the territory.
For more information, read the full report Here