the summer shortage of doctors begins

The summer has just begun, and hospitals are already starting to suffer from lack of staff. From this Saturday, July 7 to Sunday, July 22 included, the pediatric department and pediatric emergencies of the Robert Pax Hospital (Sarreguemines, Grand Est) will be temporarily closed.

"Due to the impossibility of to organize a complete and continuous medical attendance schedule, resulting in particular from the absence for health reasons of a pediatrician, this decision is necessary in order to guarantee the safety and the quality of the care of the children. the Sarreguemines Hospital Center, like many hospitals in France, faces recruitment difficulties to replace the unavailability of doctors.The safety of patients, especially children, is an absolute requirement, the Management considered that this situation very Special and limited in time ordered to adapt the organization of care and care, "says the hospital in a statement.

Patients forced to turn to pediatric emergencies at Marie-Madeleine Hospital

Only maternity will remain open. In case of need, patients will have to move to pediatric emergencies at the Marie-Madeleine de Forbach hospital.

The "flash" survey conducted by the Regional Health Agency (ARS) of Ile-de-France indicates that on all establishments in this region during the two months of summer vacation, 600 time slots 24 hours will miss a doctor. At issue: the departure on leave of the doctors, a shortage of more and more emergency doctors and a strike of the acting doctors.

"It's going to be chaotic"

"It's going to be chaotic Even before the summer, the disaster is approaching in a number of departments, especially in Cher or Aube, some of which have already tried to call on the health reserve (retired medical volunteers available in case of difficulty, ed) to ensure the continuity of public service.So imagine this summer … ", alert in Marianne Christophe Prudhomme, word of the French Association of Emergency Physicians of France (Amuf).

This situation echoes the recent mobilizations of health professionals to denounce the lack of resources in hospitals. Last January, it was on Twitter that health professionals mobilized with the hashtag #balancetonhosto. A thousand doctors and health executives signed a call in Liberation to denounce the lack of resources in hospitals in mid-January. Several strikes were also organized in health facilities

Lack of time for patients

On average, hospital doctors spend 47 hours a week on their ward. Nurses and caregivers stay on average 39 hours per week in their service. Of the two professions, more than 90% feel that their workload is intensifying. All say they do not have enough time to care for their patients, according to a recent Odoxa poll.