Green light for the Region-Pediatricians supplementary agreement: "Years-awaited"
A commitment of €830,000. This is the one signed by the Fedriga administration, increasing the over €2.1 million allocated in previous regional supplementary agreements with pediatricians' unions. Numerous new provisions for doctors include:
"Reorganizing the care model and meeting the population's health needs also, and above all, depends on the satisfaction of professionals," said Health Councilor Riccardo Riccardi, commenting on the approval of the Regional Government Resolution. "With this act, we have implemented organizational solutions that will improve the professionals' activities and ensure a better response to patients." Specifically, the number of patients per pediatrician will be reduced, capping at 800. Furthermore, pediatricians' office hours, at least two days a week, will be extended until 7:00 PM.
From a citizen service perspective, the signed agreement provides for the mandatory check-ups to be increased to six for each patient, raising the age for periodic check-ups to 14 years of age. Pediatricians will be able to accept, even in excess of, young patients of parents who already have other children under the care of the same pediatrician. Families residing in the region will also be able to request pediatric care near their workplace. Finally, it should be noted that, subject to the physician's approval, the primary pediatrician may be retained until the patient reaches 18 years of age in the event of particularly serious health conditions.
"This is an agreement we've been waiting for years," commented Paolo Lubrano of the Italian Federation of Pediatricians. "We're happy that the Region has met our needs in a way that's satisfactory for everyone, providing us with important recognition," he concluded.
İl Friuli
