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Health care

Six provincial health authorities (Bari, BAT, Brindisi, Foggia, Lecce, Taranto), two university hospital trusts (Policlinico di Bari, Ospedali Riuniti di Foggia), public research hospitals and large religious hospitals (Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, Miulli). Compliant in the 2023 LEA monitoring, after the recovery plan started in 2010. Puglia Salute portal and app for bookings.

Sections: Access · Coverage · Facilities · Pharmacies · Emergencies

Organisation

The Apulian health system is organised in six local health authorities matching the provinces (ASL Bari, ASL BAT, ASL Brindisi, ASL Foggia, ASL Lecce, ASL Taranto), two university hospital trusts (Policlinico di Bari with the Giovanni XXIII children's hospital; Ospedali Riuniti di Foggia), the public research hospitals De Bellis in Castellana Grotte (gastroenterology) and Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II in Bari, and two large accredited religious hospitals: Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza in San Giovanni Rotondo and Miulli in Acquaviva delle Fonti. New hospitals are under construction or opening in Taranto (San Cataldo) and in the south-east of the Bari area.

Quality and weak points

Apulia was placed under a recovery plan from 2010, followed by operational programmes that reorganised the hospital network and closed several small facilities; in the monitoring of essential care levels (LEA) for 2023 (Nuovo Sistema di Garanzia) the region is compliant, with scores close to those of some northern regions. Documented weak points remain: waiting lists, shortages of emergency doctors and GPs, overcrowded summer emergency departments in tourist resorts and outbound mobility to Lombardy, Emilia-Romagna and Lazio for oncology and complex surgery.

Access

The regional Puglia Salute portal and app allow booking with the electronic prescription, choosing a GP, consulting the electronic health record and paying co-payments; a regional telephone booking centre is also active. The Tremiti islands have only an out-of-hours medical post and depend on the air ambulance and on links with Termoli and the Gargano.

Co-payments, exemptions, CUP numbers and the structure of health authorities change: check the Puglia Salute portal or your local ASL.

Sources

Portale regionale della Salute – Sistema Sanitario Pugliese· Regione Puglia

Updated: 2026-10-14

Regione Puglia – sito istituzionale· Regione Puglia

Updated: 2026-10-14

Ministero della Salute – Livelli essenziali di assistenza (LEA) e monitoraggio (Nuovo Sistema di Garanzia)· Ministero della Salute

Updated: 2026-10-14

Quotidiano Sanità – Monitoraggio LEA 2023 (Nuovo Sistema di Garanzia): regioni adempienti e inadempienti (fonte giornalistica che riporta la Relazione 2023 del Ministero della Salute)· Quotidiano Sanità

Updated: 2026-10-14

Ministero della Salute – Piani di rientro delle Regioni· Ministero della Salute

Updated: 2026-10-14

Reviewed: 10/22/2026 · by piero.avolio · rev. 1 · Period: → 2027-04-30

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