Congested hospitals and growing medical deserts: Emmanuel Macron was confronted with a “systemic crises” in the health sector. On Tuesday, he met professionals from the sector in Cherbourg for his first five-year term.

The Head of State arrived at Cherbourg Hospital Center around 5:45 pm. This is almost 1:45 behind schedule. Brigitte Bourguignon was the new Minister for Health. The extra time was devoted to Ukraine support. The CHU was packed with staff members eager to raise the alarm about the situation at the hospital.

Macron responded by announcing the launch of a “one-month mission to unscheduled healthcare” and then a roundtable with “all actors in health” (emergency doctors, nurses, general practitioners, administrators) for “access to unscheduled and urgent care”. Macron also stated that he would launch his major health conference “from July” with all stakeholders. He also wants to replicate a method that is “closer to the ground” for his second project, education.

Night closings, load shedding on other hospitals, access filter by the Samu: At least 120 emergency services were forced to reduce their activity or are preparing. All lights are red. A total of almost 20% of approximately 620 institutions, private and public, that host one or more emergency service providers are affected.

Another sign of an unprecedented crisis is that 14 of the 32 biggest French hospitals (CHU or CHR) are listed on this list. Only a prior call of 15 is required to admit patients in Cherbourg unless they are experiencing a critical emergency.

Access to care in cities is becoming more difficult across the territory due to a shortage of doctors and overcrowded nursing homes. The Elysium explains that despite the fact that there have been twofolds of “multi-professional health centers” and “unprecedented investment”, following in particular the Segur De la sante, these professions are still difficult and not appealing enough.

Accordingly, the executive plans to concentrate on a “recruitment plan and retention plan in all areas” of health. Patrick Chamboredon, president of the national organization of nurses, expressed concern that “there is an urgent need for action to ensure continuity of care throughout the territories, not in a couple of years but in just a few weeks”.

Frederic Valletoux (President of the French Hospital Federation) believes that revaluations should be made immediately. Otherwise, the public hospital will not be able to make up for any weaknesses in the overall health system.