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Italy Faces Critical healthcare Staffing Shortages – Calls for Salary Increases and Bureaucracy Reduction

rome, Italy – August 4, 2025 – Italy’s healthcare system is grappling with a severe shortage of nurses and doctors, prompting renewed calls for systemic reform. recent analysis indicates a national shortfall of approximately 14,000 nurses, a figure projected to rise to 20,000 by 2027 according to a report by the Italian Federation of Nurses (FNOPI). The crisis is exacerbated by low salaries, excessive administrative burdens placed on medical professionals, and a lack of adequate support staff.

A potential short-term solution lies in the expanded role of “nurse assistants,” similar to social-health operators (OSS), who can alleviate some of the workload. However, experts emphasize the need to streamline administrative tasks currently performed by doctors. Italy reportedly has one of the lowest ratios of administrative staff to medical personnel in Europe, forcing physicians to handle paperwork that could be efficiently managed by dedicated support staff. Doctors at the Gemelli Hospital in Rome, for example, spend an average of 15 hours per week on non-clinical administrative duties, according to a recent internal audit.

Addressing the salary issue is paramount. Current wages are insufficient to attract qualified healthcare professionals from other European countries, even with the rising demand. Increasing salaries requires a notable allocation of resources, possibly necessitating a re-evaluation of the diagnosis Related Groups (DRGs) system and a broader restructuring of the national healthcare system.The current DRG system, implemented in 2006, has been criticized by organizations like Cittadinanzattiva for not adequately reflecting the true cost of care, particularly for complex cases. Rationalizing the hospital network, potentially consolidating smaller, less efficient facilities, is also seen as a crucial step.