Pediatric Guard Service Urgently Requested for Valdinievole Area
Pescia – Mayor Riccardo Franchi of Pescia has formally requested the Tuscany Region to urgently activate a Pediatric Medical Guard service at the Cosma and Damiano Hospital in Pescia. The request, supported unanimously by the Valdinievole Health society, represents the concerns of citizens and local administrations throughout the Valdinievole area.
The need for this service stems from the recent closure of the local birth center and limited staffing within the Pediatric department, impacting healthcare access for families in the region. Mayor Franchi emphasized this isn’t just a Pescia issue, but a critical need for all Valdinievole residents.
The request aligns with Regional Law 44, which encourages pilot programs for active pediatric guard services within the Vasta Toscana area. The Valdinievole area is being proposed as a pilot territory to provide continuous pediatric care, particularly on pre-holiday days, holidays, and weekends.
This initial activation would be an experimental phase, lasting six months and monitored by the Regional health Directorate. following the trial period,the Region will determine how to implement pediatric continuity of care across Tuscany. Franchi believes this measure is “indispensable” and addresses a “real and urgent need” for consistent pediatric assistance, especially for families in mountainous areas currently underserved by the existing system.
while a timeline for activation remains uncertain, Franchi expressed hope that, should the Region approve the request, the service will become a permanent fixture at the Valdinievole hospital, given the area’s significant need.
