"The clinic will be closed from 2/4 to 7/4/24 following the resignation of the substitute doctor caused by the repeated rude and aggressive behavior perpetuated on her from the first day of starting her job". This is the sign that appeared in the medical office in PiazzaVenezia in Cortoghiana, a hamlet of Carbonia, in Sulcis, after yet another verbal assaults suffered by healthcare professionals.
The notice was left by Dr. Michela Atzori, 49 years old and owner of the medical practice for two years which has 1500 patients from various towns in the Sulcis area.
"I was on sick leave for a month after I suffered a physical attack in the clinic - he told ANSA - I had to close and I didn't find a replacement immediately, but only after 10 days. The colleague, however, resisted from 19 to 29 March in the face of to the repeated verbal aggression of some patients".
Hence the new closure of the clinic and the appearance of the sign which sparked the debate in the city and on social media.
The doctor will return to work on Monday 8th but she fears that these episodes of rudeness may be repeated, despite the support received from the Municipality of Carbonia, the Local Health Authority and the Carabinieri, who have also collected her complaints. In the meantime, the municipal administration and the health authority, which express solidarity with the doctor and condemn "the episodes of verbal and physical violence" are preparing a public assembly to try to restore serenity to the small community of the hamlet.
"It's not nice for doctors to be forced to leave. I would like to continue working in that practice but there have been moments when I thought about giving up everything", concludes the professional.
Reproduction reserved © Copyright ANSA