The house of health in the healthcare territorial system

Drawing on a research project carried out by the ITACA department, this paper illustrates the research findings and the planning and designing scenarios concerning a new typology of healthcare structure: the “House of Health”. The methodology deployed to formulate planning and designing guidelines for the above structure includes the contribution of several operators such as doctors, architects and planners. The House of Health is envisioned as a new section of the Health District and aims to redesign – together with the local community - the network of social services. First, the House of Health provides services to communities affected by social processes of territorial re-balance. Second, this structure brings together and hosts both social activities and healthcare performances. Third, the House of Health is interfaced through computer technologies and is managed mostly by Health District doctors. Finally, the services it supplies can be grouped into three fields: healthcare, social-healthcare and social services/activities. As result, each service typology has been planned according to the necessities of the above contexts and along the lines of the following features. By virtue of its unique structure, the House of Health acquires a strategic function within the Health District. By contrast, through its commitment towards prevention, cure and rehabilitation the House of Health efficiently guarantees the essential levels of healthcare and social attendance - originally under the purview of the Health District.