Faced with the crisis in pediatric emergencies and after the cry of alarm launched by thousands of caregivers, the government announced on Sunday October 23 “ an immediate action plan “, and releases 150 million euros for all services “ in tension ” to the hospital.
On Friday, four thousand pediatric caregivers sent an open letter to Emmanuel Macron to deplore unsuitable working conditions and care which are the result of a ” irresponsible political inaction “.
To respond to this new anger at the hospital, the executive concocted a ” immediate action plan “, announced on Cnews the spokesman of the government Olivier Véran. “ We trigger where necessary, the famous “white planes” to recall additional personnel and to have better cooperation in the territories “, he detailed. The “ white plane » contains organizational measures intended to deal with an exceptional health situation or increased activity of a hospital.
“ We have an epidemic of bronchiolitis earlier than usual which arrives on a hospital out of breath and on which we must do basic work “, observed the Minister of Health, François Braun, on BFMTV who also indicated the release of 150 million euros for all services “ in tension ” to the hospital.
This money should be used to respond immediately to specific issues in certain sectors “, in particular an increase in staff, ” provided that staff can be found “, argued the minister.
A bad solution for pediatricians
“ We explain that we want structural, urgent reforms and we are answered with a white plan used once a year since 2019. The white plan means moving nurses, canceling leave, it only tightens the way in which we practice care “, Estimates Mélodie Aubart, neuropediatrician at the Necker-Enfants Malades Hospital in Paris, also a signatory of the letter to the Head of State. ” We can’t continue to permanently put bandages on a wooden leg “, she summarizes.
In their open letter, the caregivers denounce a series of dysfunctions, ranging from hospitalization of children in unsuitable places, to distant transfers, postponements of scheduled surgical interventions, or even premature discharge from hospital… As many degradations which led to delays in care » and to « endangerment of children “. According to them, the bronchiolitis epidemic is saturating services already “ bloodless “, while” an ever-increasing number of vacancies for paramedical and medical personnel “.
► To read also: In France, hospital emergency services suffering despite the “flash” plan
(with AFP)