Milan will be the hosting city of the first "Medical House". Conceived as a hub of care for people affected by chronic diseases, the House will also support the broad population in the area, giving H24 assistance, prevention consultancy and home nursing.

The House will have 9 offices and it will host a variety of professional figures, from specialists to case-workers, who will be mostly engaged in the new Alzeheimer centre.

Pierfrancesco Majorino - Milan Assessor for Social Policies and Health - commented the initiative on the Italian daily Il Sole 24 Ore, stating that the Medical House portrays the new way "of doing welfare in Milan, where doctors and operators from third and fourth sector come together to give a better offer to citizens". Better quality healthcare services, managed by a team of experts in several fields is what is needed to make sure patients are assisted effectively and professionally.

The structure will have to undertake several steps before being at best of its functions. In fact, at the beginning the doctors will be only four, assisting a population of about 3 thousand patients. Over time, their number will increase, involving paediatricians and General Practitioners (GPs) of the area. In addition, the initial opening hours will be limited to seven, from 9:30 until 19, with a lunch break.

In the future, the House will will also be provided with nursing personnel. The latter will be very useful in particular for the area devoted to a "care home" for elderly and individuals affected by chronic diseases. Moreover, the collaboration with the doctor on call will make sure the House will provide H24 assistance.

The House will be managed by the Coopertiva Medici Milano Centro (Cmmc), a cooperative of GPs founded in 1997. At the moment, this cooperative counts 80 associates spread throughout the territory, being very active in coordinating with local institutions.

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