A New Era for Apulian Healthcare: Shifting Focus to Community-Based Services

The Apulian regional council has recently sanctioned a groundbreaking initiative aimed at considerably bolstering territorial and home healthcare services.This measure, formalized on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, through a new regional supplementary agreement, seeks to provide citizens with more accessible and effective healthcare options within their own communities.

We focus on a change of pace for the Apulian health care, convinced that, with these measures, we will have health closer to citizens, efficient and lasting, thanks to a new structure of territorial and home care that responds to the needs of an evolving population.
Michele Emiliano, President of the Puglia Region

Unifying Primary Care: The Rise of the Primary Assistance Doctor

A key element of this reform is the consolidation of primary care roles. According to Raffaele Piemontese, the councilor for health, the region is moving away from the customary separation between general practitioners and continuity of care, introducing a unified role of primary assistance.This evolution is expected to improve patient care and streamline resource management.

With this resolution, the Puglia Region concretely starts the overcoming of the historic distinction between the general practitioner and continuity of care, introducing the unique role of primary assistance.
Raffaele Piemontese, Councilor for Health

This new model requires primary assistance doctors to extend their commitment beyond their existing patient base, dedicating structured time to the broader community. These activities will be conducted in various settings, including Territorial Assistance Garrisons (PTAs), Territorial Functional Aggregations, and eventually, Community Homes, as outlined in the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR).

Financial Injection: €83 Million Boost for Territorial Healthcare

Starting June 1st, the Apulia region will allocate over €83 million to strengthen the territorial health system. This ample funding will enhance home care services and empower general medical doctors to provide more comprehensive care. This investment reflects a growing trend across Europe, where governments are increasingly prioritizing community-based healthcare solutions. For example, Germany recently announced a similar initiative, investing heavily in mobile healthcare units to reach underserved rural populations.

Home Assistance Expansion: PNRR Funds Driving In-Home Care

Specifically, €12 million from the PNRR will be dedicated to home assistance, ensuring better patient care within their residences. This initiative will actively involve Community Homes and Territorial Assistance Garrisons,creating a network of support for patients requiring in-home care. This approach aligns with current healthcare trends that emphasize patient-centered care and aim to reduce hospital readmissions.

Strengthening the Workforce: Hiring Nursing Staff to Support Doctors

The PNRR funds will also facilitate the recruitment of additional nursing staff to support general medical doctors. This strategic move aims to bolster healthcare delivery and improve responsiveness to the health needs of Apulian citizens. The increased support staff will allow doctors to focus on more complex cases and provide more personalized care.

Fair Compensation: Transparent Remuneration for Family Doctors

The new measures include a more equitable remuneration system for family doctors, based on the actual hours dedicated to healthcare services. This system will utilize the Edotto facts system for transparent and traceable certification, ensuring fair compensation for their work.

Next Steps: Negotiation and Implementation

The regional council has set a deadline of May 15,2025,for concluding negotiations with trade union organizations to finalize the new rules of the regional supplementary agreement. The agreement is scheduled to take effect on June 1, 2025, marking a notable milestone in the change of Apulian healthcare.