The Erosion of Expertise: A Threat to National Health

The failure to adequately recognize and utilize the expertise of specialized health professions is creating a dangerous vulnerability within the National Health service (NHS). This issue, highlighted recently by Diego Catania, President of the FNO TSRM e PSTRP, is contributing to a decline in the attractiveness of these vital roles, ultimately jeopardizing the efficiency of the NHS and impacting public health outcomes.

Specifically, the critical role of prevention technicians in environmental and workplace safety is often overlooked. These professionals possess unique skills,rigorous training,and bear important responsibility in safeguarding public well-being. In an era defined by escalating workplace hazards and environmental concerns, their expertise is more crucial than ever.

Navigating Blindly: political Shortcomings in Risk Management

In a world grappling with profound crises in labor,environmental protection,and public health,political leadership often appears reactive rather than proactive. A concerning trend is the dilution of established expertise by entrusting risk assessment responsibilities to professionals with tangential qualifications. Recent debates surrounding food supply chain controls exemplify this issue, where attempts have been made to assign responsibilities to agronomists and food technologists, potentially compromising the integrity of safety protocols.

We live in a world where work, the environment and health are going through deep crisis, but politics continues to navigate on sight, proving to be incapable of making timely choices, consistent and based on scientific criteria.

This fragmentation of responsibility, coupled with the proliferation of entities involved in public health management, undermines the effectiveness of prevention efforts. Instead of reinforcing the roles of those specifically trained in prevention, public health is increasingly entrusted to individuals lacking the necessary specialized skills. This trend is notably alarming given the rising rates of workplace fatalities, accidents, and occupational illnesses. According to the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA), investing in occupational safety and health is not just a legal imperative, but also makes good business sense.

Missed Opportunities: The Case of “Technical Work Inspectors”

A recent competition for “Technical Work Inspectors” serves as a stark example of this systemic problem. The eligibility criteria for these positions included profiles with skills far removed from the core competencies required to effectively identify, assess, and manage workplace risks. This represents a missed possibility to leverage the expertise of graduates from specialized university programs for prevention technicians in environmental and workplace safety – a field of study deeply rooted in Italy’s scientific tradition.

Italy boasts a rich history of pioneers in occupational health, from Bernardino Ramazzini, considered the father of occupational medicine, to Luigi Devoto, who established the first occupational health clinics, and cesare Meloni, who initiated the first degree program dedicated to assessing the healthiness of living and working environments. These figures have influenced practices worldwide, yet their legacy appears to be disregarded by policies that prioritize improvisation over competence.

A Call to Action: Prioritizing Prevention for a Sustainable Future

The current trajectory poses a threat not only to specific professional categories but to the very foundation of the NHS. A basic shift in priorities is needed, with a focus on proactive prevention strategies.The insights contained within national and regional prevention plans must be implemented urgently to avert a future crisis.

It is not just a question that concerns the category of TDPs, but of the same survival of the National Health Service. If you do not invest in prevention now and do not take the ground, and urgently, the intuitions contained in the national and regional prevention plans, it will be too late.

Simply increasing the number of medical school graduates or healthcare professionals will not suffice to address the systemic issues at hand. A complete re-evaluation of the healthcare system is imperative, demanding well-defined strategies and immediate action. The time for decisive intervention is now.

Demanding Change: investing in Prevention and Social Responsibility

A fundamental shift in political priorities is essential. increased investment in prevention services is crucial, alongside incentives for companies and organizations that prioritize social responsibility through robust workplace safety policies. It is time to halt the alarming rate of workplace fatalities and address the ongoing environmental degradation.

The reliance on improvised and ill-conceived solutions must cease. Rather, the unique value of professionals dedicated to health protection, such as prevention technicians, must be recognized. these individuals serve as vital “sentinels” of safety in workplaces, schools, living environments, and the food supply chain.

The upcoming competition for work inspectors, despite some improvements, still raises significant concerns regarding the selection criteria. Questions remain about the relevance of skills such as landscape architecture or computer engineering (focused on digital viruses) to the complex task of risk assessment in diverse environments like construction sites, warehouses, or hospitals. Strengthening the control system requires prioritizing those specifically trained for the task, rather than relying on individuals who may “adapt” to the role. Prevention is not a matter of improvisation; it demands scientific rigor, methodological precision, and unwavering responsibility.