The facility, located in the former hospitality institute, will provide healthcare services for residents.
An important development is on the horizon for the residents of Capri: the City Council has signed a memorandum of understanding with the local health authority (ASL) regarding the drafting of use agreements aimed at providing new services to the citizens. The process for the funding and creation of a “Community House,” a healthcare facility that will complement the existing services, has now begun. To understand what this project entails and what benefits it will bring to the island, we interviewed Bruno D’Orazi, a majority councilor and assessor for the hospital, hygiene and health, and civil protection.
“This is an idea that has been around for some time, one of the points in our electoral program, to repurpose the building of the former hospitality institute for healthcare activities, to integrate and support the existing ones. We immediately got to work, but due to the pandemic, the plan slowed down. In the meantime, the state considered it appropriate to design a new territorial healthcare system, non-hospital-based, due to the overcrowding of hospital departments because of Covid. To do this, funds from the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) will be used, adopted by the regions to establish new health or community houses; one of these will be in Capri. So, by joining this state project, we have respected the plan we originally had for the former hospitality institute building.”
“There will be diagnostic clinics and consultancy services, new nurses and doctors will be employed, and the center will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. The novelty of the territorial healthcare system is based on four main points: the creation of community houses, community hospitals, home care, and the Territorial Operational Center (COT) to connect specialists and patients. Additionally, the council’s resolution has designated another Capri structure for further services, such as the 118 emergency medical service, and provided space for accommodation for the hydro-ambulance staff. Several free-use agreements will be signed for these activities. Although healthcare is not directly managed by us local administrators, we are responsible for creating the conditions to expand services by providing resources, and that’s exactly what we’ve done. Our goal is to continuously find new ways to bring more services to the population.”
What features does the facility to be renovated have, and what are the expected timelines for it to be operational?
“The building was a disused school. According to the urban planning regulations, the area where the building stands can only be used for school or healthcare activities, so it perfectly aligns with its new function. The project’s timeline for completion is 48 months.”
What do you think will be the benefits for Capri and its residents?
“The benefits will be numerous, as the services will complement the district’s hospital services, ensuring easier access for citizens. For example, island residents will be able to have MRI scans, CT scans, and other exams without having to travel to Naples, as well as all the other services that will be provided within this new facility.”
Article by Stefano D’Alessandro.
