France in Focus

Yesterday I went for a blood test. I do this on a regular basis with an ordonnance.
On the wall of the waiting area are several ‘adverts’ offering various services including blood tests for a fixed sum varying from 25 euros upwards without the need for an ordonnance.
Who are these targeting? People with no mutuelle? Holiday makers? People with no MT?
When you’ve got the results, what next? An MT might be a bit miffed if you’ve gone off and done it without him knowing.
Any ideas?

Yes, I've seen the same. I believe a lot of it is due to not being able to get an appointment with a doctor - whether your MT or otherwise. This would allow you to, at the least, have test(s) completed for things you suspect could be the problem. I think the STD tests speak for themselves. They don't require an appointment or an ordonnance.

Also for UTI's, anyone who has ever had one before can usually tell from their symptoms that they have one. Pharmacies can now prescribe medications to treat UTI's, so you wouldn't have to endure the potentially long wait for an MT appointment. Etc., etc.

I think it is a great improvement to the system.

Some people (thanks maybe to Dr Google )may also feel they need a blood test and the doctor not willing to sign off oni it paying may set their mind at ease
Several years ago I was disgruntled with my GP who I usually got on well with but was known to be moody. He gave me a hand written blood form so I ticked some more boxes on it. One was Vit D two days later I get a phone call my Vit D was very low I had to go in and see him and then confess what I had done He looked at me and said “I can’t tell you off can I “ “No”
If anything I had saved him big problems in the future