Are the measurements of the “flash mission” sufficient?

The Minister of Health, François Braun, is heard Tuesday evening, at 9 p.m., at the National Assembly. He will be questioned about the “flash mission” he carried out on emergencies, handed over to Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne and of which all 41 measures were adopted in early July by the government. Revaluation of the salary for night shifts, reinforcement of the role of SAMU, bonus for liberal doctors… Where is this rescue plan?

An increase in wages not sufficient

The increase in wages at night, on weekends and on public holidays is effective. But it is quite low, especially for caregivers: it represents barely one euro more per hour. All health professionals, at all levels, repeat it: it is absolutely necessary that a major reflection be undertaken on this remuneration of emergency personnel.

Then, the other fundamental measure of this “flash mission” is the bonus of 15 euros, granted to general practitioners who agree to treat a person outside their patient base, has also entered into force but it is very rarely applied. Because, it is difficult to prove that a patient has indeed been referred by the SAMU to a doctor, in order to be able to receive this bonus. Clearly, the process will have to be simplified.

Emergency services still tight

Nevertheless, the message of “regulation”, that is to say the fact that patients are first and foremost redirected to other structures, has gone down well among all the local actors who organize themselves among themselves. Emergency services continue to operate thanks to this, but still at just-in-time. The minister’s plan is just a patch, there is no secret. The number of beds available and the number of staff remain historically insufficient for this summer.

An evaluation of the measures of this “flash mission” on emergencies will be made at the end of September in order to decide whether they will be extended after the summer.