Ten resident doctors at Careggi Hospital in Florence have been reported by the NAS (National Health and Safety Authority) for allegedly inflating exam bookings by enrolling the same patients in multiple appointments or diagnostic procedures between July and August 2023. The Carabinieri said the reason was to ensure a less busy work schedule during the summer . However, the NAS reconstructed, by doing so, they interrupted or disrupted the regular provision of public services regarding at least 290 appointments . This meant, the NAS explains, " effectively making it impossible for individuals who needed those specific appointments or procedures to book ," because they found the waiting list clogged with patients who had not requested the exam or examination.
The other patients were forced to postpone their booking until later.
The practice of inflating waiting lists was particularly prevalent during the early morning hours. The NAS discovered this by conducting targeted checks on waiting list times.
The documentation provided by the Careggi University Hospital—which, NAS emphasizes, provided full cooperation—has revealed that between July and August 2023, the investigated specialist doctors recorded various specialty services and diagnostic tests on the CUP 2.0 management application , entering numerous appointments, even on the same day, in the name (and without the knowledge) of the same patient who had booked only one appointment . By thus filling available slots, they saturated their schedules for several days and curtailed their work schedules.
A pre-trial hearing on the matter has already been set for February 19, 2027.
(Unioneonline)