Tension is rising among general practitioners in Emilia-Romagna. The regional branch of SNAMI (Sindacato Nazionale Autonomo Medici Italiani) has declared a state of agitation among contracted doctors, requesting the activation of cooling-off and conciliation procedures before the Prefecture of Bologna. Should no agreement be reached, the union has reserved the right to call a strike.
At the heart of the dispute is the implementation of the Regional Supplementary Agreement (Accordo integrativo regionale), which SNAMI had not signed. The union reports widespread difficulties within local health authorities and a lack of clarity regarding the new organizational model. Among the contested issues are the functioning of Territorial Functional Aggregation (AFT) teams, the relationship with the 116117 helpline, the organization of operations centers, and exemptions that, according to SNAMI, are being granted without uniform criteria.
The dispute also has financial dimensions. The union reports unpaid fees for certain services, deductions, and increased costs borne by professionals, as well as the impact of the new system on group medical practices. SNAMI has also raised concerns regarding holidays, rest periods, maternity and paternity leave, family care support, protections for doctors with health issues, and gender equality. Some of these matters, the union notes, are already the subject of formal complaints and legal proceedings.
No strike has been called at this stage. SNAMI is instead calling for talks to resume and has committed to refraining from unilateral action during the conciliation process. However, should the attempt fail, the union has reserved the right to proceed with a work stoppage and other forms of protest permitted by law.
