Given the risk of overcrowding in the ER, which is especially sensitive in the summer, the Ministry of Health recommends dialing 15, which is gradually becoming a “care access service”.
In some cases, this prior call will even be necessary to access the ER, according to the ministry, without detailing the number of hospitals affected.
“This will be done territory by territory”, in particular “with regard to the workforce present” and the “choice of local actors”, he indicated.
“The Good Reflection”
In general, 15 “is the right reflection” when no solution has been found for a health problem that quickly requires medical attention, said François Braun’s office, addressing future vacationers in particular.
Thanks to the progressive implementation of the Health Access Services (SAS), the 15th is increasingly able to “respond to the care” needed in 48 hours, he explained.
“We can offer you an appointment” with a doctor, or even sometimes “send you a prescription directly from the health access service platform” or “put you in contact with a teleconsultation, in an organized environment,” the cabinet added.
The SAS now covers half the French population, the cabinet said.
Lack of staff in hospitals.
The objective of the Ministry of Health is to reach 100% of the territory covered by the end of the year. The hospital is now under pressure due to chronic understaffing.
The situation is particularly delicate for the Emergency Department, which is likely to become quickly overloaded in the event of an influx of patients. A standoff over pay for interim doctors further complicates the situation for hospital directors, who often struggle to meet their schedules.
The Health Ministry had begun discussions in the spring with hospital doctors’ unions to strengthen the attractiveness of the profession, in particular by better paying weekend and night guards. But discussions are pending budget arbitration within the government, while Bercy is particularly counting on the health sector to save money.
Two alliances of hospital doctors’ unions have filed strike notices for Monday and Tuesday respectively.
Source: BFM TV
