Long Waiting Lists for One in Three People Revealed in Latest Health Report
According to the 21st “Hospitals & Health” Report, promoted by Aiop and created in collaboration with Censis, long waiting lists are affecting a significant portion of the population. The report highlights that in 2023, 42% of patients with lower incomes up to 15 thousand euros were forced to procrastinate or give up on healthcare due to inability to access the National Health Service and bear the costs of paid healthcare.
The survey also sheds light on the impact of healthcare expenses on different income classes. About 36.9% of Italians have given up other expenses to support healthcare, with the highest percentage among low-income individuals. Additionally, 16.3% of people had to seek healthcare services in another region, with long waiting lists being the primary reason for mobility, affecting 31.6% of healthcare migrants.
Furthermore, the report indicates that 53.5% of Italians faced excessively long waiting times for healthcare services, with 37.4% reporting blocked or closed lists despite regulations against it. The result is that for every 100 booking attempts in the NHS, only 60.6% of services remain in the public healthcare system.
The findings underscore the challenges faced by many in accessing timely and affordable healthcare services, with a significant number of individuals resorting to paid healthcare options. The report calls for urgent measures to address the issues of long waiting lists and disparities in healthcare access based on income levels.