Explaining a child’s fever or your own symptoms in a second language is hard, even when your Italian is good. In Lecce, a handful of pediatricians and family doctors (medici di base) are known among international residents for speaking English, and video consultations fill some of the gaps.
This guide lists the doctors we know of, explains how to choose a public doctor through the ASL, and covers online options. Doctors move, retire and fill their lists, so check before you count on any name below. You can choose a public pediatrician or family doctor only once you are registered with the national health service; see our guide to healthcare in Puglia. Otherwise, private visits are the route.
How choosing a public doctor works
When you register with the health service at the ASL, you choose a family doctor for each adult and a pediatrician (pediatra di libera scelta) for each child. Children up to 6 must be assigned a pediatrician; between 6 and 14 you can keep the pediatrician or move to a family doctor. You can choose only doctors who still have places on their list, and you can change doctor later. The region’s doctor search lists the public family doctors and pediatricians in each district.
Your family doctor or pediatrician also writes the referral (impegnativa) you need to book a specialist visit in the public system.
English-speaking pediatricians in Lecce
Dr. Maria Gole
Private pediatrician, Via Lequile 37, Lecce. Speaks English, Spanish and Italian. She works at the public hospital and also sees patients privately, so you do not need to be registered with the ASL to book her. Appointments and contact details are on her MioDottore page.
Dr. Paolo Fiocco
Public pediatrician (ASL), Via del Palazzo dei Conti di Lecce 7, Lecce. In the historic center. He speaks some English, but a little Italian or a translation app will help.
Dr. Marco Tullio Catamo
Public pediatrician (ASL), Via Francesco Scarpa 16, Lecce. A popular pediatrician in Lecce. He does not speak English, so come prepared with Italian or a translator.
If a child falls ill at night or on the weekend, our guide to hospitals and children’s emergency care in Salento explains which hospitals around Lecce have a children’s ward, how the weekend pediatric clinics work and when to call the guardia medica. In an emergency, call 112.
English-speaking family doctors in Lecce
These public family doctors have been recommended to us as English speakers. Ask at the ASL whether they still have places when you register.
Dr. Federica Erroi
Public family doctor (ASL), Piazzetta Giorgio Baglivi 33, Lecce. Reported to consult in English.
Dr. Luigi Peccarisi
Public family doctor (ASL), Viale Lo Re 38, Lecce. Reported to consult in English.
Dr. Giulia Cusmano
Public family doctor (ASL), Via Padre Bonaventura de Lama 6, Lecce. Reported to consult in English.
Office hours and phone numbers for public doctors are posted at their surgeries and given to you by the ASL when you choose them.
Online doctors in English
Video consultations can help with minor problems, or when your own doctor is not available. Doctors in Italy offers English-language video visits around the clock, starting from about €20. It is a private, paid service and does not replace your public doctor or the emergency services.
The ASL office in Lecce
Registration with the health service and the choice of doctor are handled by ASL Lecce. The main offices are at Viale Don Minzoni 8, and general information is on the Puglia health portal. Bring your ID, tax code, residence permit or registration documents, and those of your children.
