Abstract

The paper examines the path of implementation of the Houses of the Community in the framework of a new organizational structure for local health care. In the intentions of the political decision-makers, the new structure seems to be placed on the horizon of welfare community, also recalled by the Italian PNRR and the subsequent founding documents; however, it presents several undeveloped and not clearly defined points. The more than the ten-year experience of the Houses of Health shows that the structural deficiencies of this organism have curbed its original objectives of health integration and citizen participation. It is therefore necessary to introduce significant organizational and paradigmatic innovations in the Houses of the Community to address the most urgent social and health issues today, making a good use of the technological resources available. Three lacking problematic nodes of the plan are identified (related to the multidimensionality of care, community development and health promotion, intermodal governance, and reshaping of professional work) for which there is a need to introduce new conceptual and operational guidelines and strengthen socio-relational knowledge through the introduction of new professionals specifically trained.