The medical director: who they are, what they do and what to do if they change
For doctors
Every private healthcare facility in Italy must have a medical director (direttore sanitario). They are the doctor accountable for the facility’s healthcare organisation and, increasingly, for how the facility communicates with the public.
Who can be medical director?
A registered doctor. The 2019 Budget Law (L. 145/2018, art. 1, para. 536) required registration with the Ordine of the province where the facility operates. A later amendment allows registration with another Ordine, provided the director notifies their appointment to the Ordine responsible for the facility’s location. Other requirements, such as specialisations, incompatibilities or how many posts one person may hold, depend on regional rules.
What are they responsible for?
- Hygiene, safety and healthcare organisation of the facility.
- Compliance with the operating authorisation requirements.
- Proper keeping and storage of clinical records.
- Oversight of the healthcare staff’s work.
- Health communication: if advertising breaks the rules, the Ordine can open disciplinary proceedings against the medical director.
The facility’s website, social media and campaigns are therefore also the medical director’s personal responsibility.
What to do if the medical director changes
- Appoint a successor before the current post ends, or a temporary deputy.
- Notify: the body that issued the authorisation (Region, local health authority or municipality, depending on the region) and the relevant Ordine. In Tuscany, for example, regional law requires changes of medical director and the deputy’s name to be notified.
- Update: check whether regional rules require the medical director’s name on signage, website and materials, and update them.
- Hand over: protocols, records and any open reports.
How to prepare
- Name a qualified deputy in advance.
- Keep an up-to-date file of authorisations, protocols and notifications sent.
- Involve the medical director in reviewing communication content before it goes live.
Support with compliance
See how Vitaura supports network clinics with compliance and communication. Learn more
Sources: L. 145/2018, art. 1, para. 536; OMCeO Reggio Emilia – Notice no. 15/2022 on the amendment to para. 536; Tuscany Region – Regional Law 8/1999; Quotidiano Sanità.
This article is for information only and is not legal advice.
