The Districts

In Trieste, the Healthcare Agency Districts were created in 1996 in order to bring healthcare responses in more direct contact with service users. The District intervenes directly in the community, complementing and integrating Hospital services. It guarantees unified, long-term responses to the local population's healthcare and social-healthcare needs, in collaboration with local municipal services. The Districts deliver services not only in out-patient facilities, but also in the home and whereever users live and work. Each District is managed by a Director, who is appointed by the LHA General Manager.

District 1 (pop. 62,656)
Via Lionello Stock 2
Tel. 040 3997805 - Fax 040 399 7837
e-mail: dist1@ass1.sanita.fvg.it
Same catchment area as the Barcola/Aurisina MHC.

District 2 (pop. 56,680)
Via Nordio 15
Tel. 040 399 5621 – Fax 040 399 5635
e-mail: dist2@ass1.sanita.fvg.it
Same catchment area as the Maddalena MHC

District 3 (pop. 62,910)
Via Valmaura 59
Tel. 040 399 5828 Fax 0400 399 5823
e-mail: dist3@sanita.fvg.it
Same catchment area as the Domio MHC

District 4 (pop. 58,643)
P.le Canestrini 8
Tel. 040 399 7332 Fax 040 399 7386
e-mail: dist4@ass1.sanita.fvg.it
Same catchment area as the via Gambini MHC (area of San Giovanni refers to the San Giovanni MHC – Psychiatric Clinic)

The District provides access to all services which can be delivered within its own facilities, at home or whereever users live and work, and tries to provide comprehensive responses to user needs, with a special attention to special problems. Services offered include medical analyses and exams, consultations with specialists, rehabilitation and administrative acts. Personalised information can be received and appointments for other healthcare services can also be made in the Districts. The District is not simply an out-patient or poly-outpatient service, or worse, a "waiting room" for exams or therapies. Instead, District operators provide comprehensive care for users, creating the most appropriate responses to individual needs and assisting users during their healthcare itineraries. Healthcare services can be delivered within District facilities or at home, can be exclusively medical or also involve integrated social-healthcare interventions, and include evaluations by different professional figures. In complex cases with very limited patient autonomy, the operators (nurses, District physicians and specialist: urologists, cardiologist, surgeons, oculists, dentists, etc.) go to the person's home in order to provide the most appropriate care. However, Home Care is not limited to medical interventions but in case of need (as when patients live alone) can also involve neighbours, Municipal services, volunteers, the local parish, family members etc. in order to provide forms of assistance and care.
The District staff includes physicians, psychologists, nurses, social workers, obstetricians physical and speech therapists, healthcare technicians and administrative personnel. These operators work together as a team, while also collaborating and interfacing with other sectors/agencies: Hospitals, volunteers, Municipal services, etc.. GPs remain the primary referent due to their first hand knowledge of individual patients. The GP determines which analyses and examinations are required and then refers the patient to the District for the most appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic responses.

Primary Care and Home Care

Provides out-patient medical services and Home Care (including in nursing homes or other residences) to persons of all ages with personalised healthcare plans. The service operates 12 hrs daily, 7 days a week, providing care for patients after their release from hospital to ensure therapeutic continuty, and guaranteeing medical, nursing and rehabilitative care in the user's home. The service is accessed directly after referral by a physician (though the referral can also be made after the patient's initial contact with the District). Home Care can also be requested by telephone.

Elderly persons

The Service is accessed directly and provides social-healthcare, out-patient and Home Care services for the elderly. It provides assistance for social problems, facilitates adminstrative procedures related to invalidity and provides evaluations for hospitalisation in a Healthcare Residence, nursing home or for a care subsidy. The service also provides care for persons with complex problems, activates the tele-help services and collaborates with the "Amalia" project.

Specialised medicine

Provides specialised medical appointments and services, and nursing, out-patient and Home Care; organises diagnostic-therapeutic processes, especially for more complex cases; manages the out-patient service for substance abuse, together with GPs. It is accessed through the Appointment Centre with physician referral (except for stomatological and gynecological) or, for special needs, by contacting the District directly during working hours.

Rehabilitation

Delivers rehabilitation services for adults, both outpatient and at home; exams with a physiatrist; multi-disciplinary evaluations for severe disabilities; assistance for prosthetics; care for patients with temporary or permanent disabilities which also forsees training and assistance to family members. Accessed with medical prescription, except for information/assistence for prosthetics, which can be requested directly during District hours.

Children and Adolescents

Provides first post-natal check-up for mothers and new-borns after release from the Burlo-Garofolo Children's Hospital; consultation for breastfeeding, vaccinations, evaluations for mental-physical development; rehabilitation, neuropsychiatric and psychological interventions; care for adolescents with complex problems. Walk in, or with physicians referral; appointments required for vaccinations or rehab/specialist interventions.

Family Counselling Centre

Provides counselling and care for pregnancy; pre-/post-natal, breastfeeding, contraception, abortion, sexual issues, abuse and violence against women. It also offers legal aid, sex education, psychological and social aid to women/men, couples, families and adolescents. Walk in.

The Districts can also make referrals to the following services:

| Prevention, mental health and substance dependency services
| Psycho-pedagogical services in Slovene for children and adolescents – via Farneto 3 – Tel. 040 399 5070
| Out-patient services for foreigners, provided by GPs – via Nordio 15 – Tel. 040 399 5626
| Women"s Healthcare Centre - Androna degli Orti 4/b – Tel. 040 368780 (see Programmes)
| Assistance for dialysis and organ transplants – Ospedale Maggiore Rm. 32 – Tel 040 399 2218
| Meetingpoint for Municipal operators and volunteer groups.

The MHD is active in many of these services/activities through projects, protocols and specific procedures (see Programmes).

Administrative Area

Provides the following services: information and registration with the Regional Healthcare Service and choice of personal GP or paediatrician; appointment service; paying or requesting exemptions from "tickets"; request for auxiliaries (catheters, etc.); request for healthcare coverage in foreign countries; reimbursement for vaccines and medicine. Walk in.