New law against attacks on medical personnel

The recent approval of the law against attacks on doctors and nurses represents an important turning point in the Italian healthcare landscape. With 144 votes in favor and 92 abstentions, the measure received the final green light from the Chamber, arousing enthusiasm among the top brass of the Ministry of Health. Minister Orazio Schillaci commented positively, stating that the law offers “concrete answers and greater protection for healthcare personnel”, underlining the importance of not leaving attacks unpunished.

Details of the new regulation

The law introduces severe measures, including:

• Mandatory arrest in flagrante delicto for assaults on healthcare professionals
• Possibility of deferred arrest in case of personal injury
• Imprisonment from one to five years for damage to National Health Service (SSN) property, with fines of up to 10,000 euros The measure was designed in response to an increase in assaults in emergency departments, where staff are at risk of encountering increasingly violent situations.

Schillaci highlighted the need for a cultural change that restores a therapeutic alliance between doctor and patient, beyond punitive measures alone. However, the political debate is not without controversy. Article 3 of the law, regarding the financial invariance clause, has drawn criticism from various political forces. Opposition representatives, from Azione to M5S and PD, argue that the law is “only punitive”, accusing the government of not having provided adequate funding to guarantee safety in hospitals.

Future prospects

Despite the controversy, the law has received approval in the medical world. Filippo Anelli, president of the National Federation of Medical Associations (Fnomceo), has called for additional measures to make the law more effective, suggesting investments in video cameras to monitor incidents of violence. Several trade unions welcomed the measure but also highlighted the need for further interventions to improve the working conditions of healthcare workers. A demonstration will be held in Rome on November 20 to demand dignity and safety for healthcare professionals. In conclusion, the approval of the law marks a step forward in the fight against violence in the healthcare sector, but the effectiveness of the measures will depend on the government’s ability to implement concrete solutions that guarantee real protection to Italian doctors and nurses.