Health care
Since 2022 eight territorial health authorities (Sassari, Gallura, Nuoro, Ogliastra, Oristano, Medio Campidano, Sulcis, Cagliari), ARNAS Brotzu, the Cagliari and Sassari university hospitals, AREUS and ARES. Funded entirely from the regional budget, briefly under a recovery plan in the late 2000s; compliant in the 2023 LEA monitoring. Regional CUP 1533; doctor shortages inland.
Sections: Access · Coverage · Facilities · Pharmacies · Emergencies
Organisation
Regional law 24/2020 dissolved the single ATS authority and, from 1 January 2022, created eight local health and social care authorities: ASL of Sassari, Gallura (Olbia), Nuoro, Ogliastra (Lanusei), Oristano, Medio Campidano (Sanluri), Sulcis (Carbonia) and Cagliari. Alongside them are ARNAS G. Brotzu in Cagliari (reference hospital for high-specialty care, with the Oncologico and Microcitemico), the Cagliari and Sassari university hospital trusts, AREUS for the 118 service and air ambulance and ARES for procurement, IT and staff. Bookings are made through the regional CUP (number 1533), the SardegnaSalute portal, the app and pharmacies, with the electronic prescription and the electronic health record.
Funding and quality
Under the statute, Sardinia funds its health service entirely from the regional budget, without a share of the National Health Fund, and was under a recovery plan only briefly in the late 2000s, leaving it almost at once. In the monitoring of essential care levels (LEA) for 2023, under the Ministry of Health's Nuovo Sistema di Garanzia, it is compliant, with one of the largest improvements over 2022, after years of insufficiency. Weak points documented by the Region are the shortage of GPs, paediatricians and specialists inland and in tourist areas (partly covered by temporary posts), waiting lists and outbound mobility to Lombardy, Lazio, Tuscany and Emilia-Romagna, aggravated by the travel costs of insularity, partly reimbursed by the Region.
Access and insularity
The main hospitals are in Cagliari, Sassari, Nuoro, Olbia, Oristano, Carbonia, Lanusei and Alghero; many smaller facilities have reduced services. For residents of the interior and of the minor islands (La Maddalena, Carloforte) the AREUS air ambulance, with bases in Olbia, Alghero and Cagliari, is the key service; transfers to the mainland for care not available on the island go through agreements and regional reimbursements. Anyone moving to a small municipality should first check that a GP is available.
Sources
Updated: 2026-10-14
Updated: 2026-10-14
Updated: 2026-10-14
Updated: 2026-10-14
Updated: 2026-10-14
Updated: 2026-10-14
Reviewed: 10/23/2026 · by piero.avolio · rev. 1 · Period: → 2027-04-30
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