Executive Summary

Italy's Marche region has declined an offer by the central government to transform the San Salvatore hospital, Pesaro, into a national centre for research into thalassaemia. During a meeting last week with the ministers of health and of the economy, the regional authorities said they were considering giving foundation status to only part of the hospital, namely the haematology department. The health ministry has expressed regret at the decision, since the centre will miss the opportunity of becoming part of the national and European networks of centres of research excellence. Neither will the centre be entitled to the substantial funding the government has set aside in 2002 for this programme. The Marche region has yet to formally announce its decision to the central government.