October 1, 2024
In Bibiana the only general practitioner retired on 30 September 2024, “but – reports regional councilor Monica Canalis – the patients were not notified in detail”.
Since 30 September the only general practitioner in service in Bibiana has retired and, at the moment, no one has taken his place
In this regard, the regional councilor of the PD, Monica Canalis, comments:
«The free choice of the general practitioner and the place of treatment constitutes a fundamental principle of the doctor-patient relationship of trust. Unfortunately, however, in Bibiana as in many other municipalities in Piedmont, citizens see reduced local services, with a consequent risk of reducing the quality and timeliness of the response, especially in the internal areas of Piedmont, less connected by Local Public Transport. The great shortage of doctors is also forcing our ASL to carry out prolonged searches to replace retirements. This time it was the municipality of Bibiana that paid the price, which as of today is without a doctor. The ASL TO3 in fact opened a shortage last March, but to date no doctor has been found available to cover it. It went better for the other two shortages in the valley, Bobbio Pellice and Luserna, which were satisfied without inconvenience to the population.”
Lack of communication
Canalis adds further:
«The ASL has undertaken to reopen the shortage of doctors in Bibiana by the end of the year and has guaranteed that both the doctors in Bricherasio and those in Luserna have free positions, but what is shocking is the lack of communication. GPs are self-employed professionals who by contract must give two weeks’ notice before leaving the surgery. A communication that should be disseminated widely, especially to the most fragile and chronic users, who have a greater need to move quickly to another doctor. In Bibiana, however, the communication of Dr. Fossat’s retirement ended in a sign posted inside the clinic, which only a small minority of patients were able to see. No email or WhatsApp message was sent, so many patients only learned the news two or three days ago through word of mouth. A scandalous method, completely disrespectful and harmful to the relationship of trust that should exist between the patient and the general practitioner. I reported this anomaly to the ASL, asking them to monitor the doctors’ behavior more closely. Now it is urgent to put pressure so that the shortage of the Bibiana clinic is reopened as soon as possible, in order to then speed up the assignment procedure.”