France in Focus

I was talking to an ENT consultant today and he was telling me he can’t get theatre time even for urgent cases and this not in a medical desert but Vannes. Population has grown and too few medics due to a squeeze put on the concours 20 years ago. They didn’t take into account the volume of retirees. He said the problem should be fixed in 2030!

Rabbit - that's the story in many parts of France. Cuts over the last 20 years by successive governments really manifested themselves when Covid descended on us, and it will probably get worse before it gets better. All of us who have lived here for any length of time have noticed how what was once considered one of the best medical services in the world has gone downhill. I remember when a GP appointment was a good half an hour, time to chat. Now on average you're in and out in about 10 minutes.

In Brittany, Maires of towns and villages on the coast have encouraged tourism and the building of apartments blocks and lotissements with a "buy to rent" slogan. The more the population increases, the bigger the subventions and allowances for the communes. What they have overlooked is that the medical services, dentists etc haven't been able to keep pace. The shortage of gynaecologists is chronic in our area, with sage-femmes having to cope, which in some cases they can't, with devastating results.

I've already posted somewhere else that many communes along the north coast of Brittany cannot get a GP for love or money despite the incentives offered.
Some specialities are over-subscribed and some under (I think MAD87 has already pointed this out). Many medical students are opting for what they consider to be an easier option, with regular hours, like physio. Is medicine becoming less of a vocation ?

My neurologist is from University of Rennes. So retention is also a problem, perhaps - not just training.

niemeyjt wrote: ↑Thu Nov 23, 2023 6:09 pm My neurologist is from University of Rennes. So retention is also a problem, perhaps - not just training.

Also very painful

rabbit wrote: ↑Thu Nov 23, 2023 4:07 pm I was talking to an ENT consultant today and he was telling me he can’t get theatre time even for urgent cases and this not in a medical desert but Vannes. Population has grown and too few medics ..

On Tuesday in Vannes, in consultation with my OH's vascular surgeon, it was decided OH needs some further tests following a recent operation. All quickly arranged except the wait for an ORL (ENT) assessment as there is a shortage of ORL specialists in the Vannes area. The waiting time can be 6-8 weeks as a minimum.

suein56, that is my experience in vannes for an ORL too. Except that is when my MT thought I might have something serious and he called the ORL and I was seen in 2 days !

suein56, the problem in we vannes is lack of capacity in theatre surgery operations. At least at Clinique Oceane

rabbit wrote: ↑Fri Nov 24, 2023 6:51 pm suein56, the problem in we vannes is lack of capacity in theatre surgery operations. At least at Clinique Oceane

There is not the same problem re operations at CHBA Vannes .. the public Hospital