-
GR, GRP, PR: What do the French hiking signs mean?
What are the coloured symbols on French hiking routes? Who paints them there and why?
-
Miss France: glam - but not sexy
Miss France organiser Geneviève de Fontenay fears she is fighting a losing battle to protect her 'Cinderella dream' from vulgarity
-
Normandy Landings visit for Queen
Queen Elizabeth has confirmed a state visit to France, ending rumours she is handing over duties to Charles
GP consultation fee rises to €23
Government agrees to €1 increase from next January - but some doctors are already charging the higher rate
THE COST of seeing a doctor will rise by €1 at the end of this year, the government has confirmed.
Nicolas Sarkozy has set a date of January 1 for the increase, which will cost the social security system an extra €250m a year.
GPs have been campaigning for the new €23 fee, which unions say was promised in 2007 but never delivered.
Health Minister Roselyne Bachelot told BFM TV that the new fee had not been possible until now "because of the financial crisis" but that it would now be introduced "as quick as possible".
A number of GPs are charging the €23 rate already in protest at a lack of funds - although this has been ruled illegal by France's highest court, the Cour de Cassation.
The two main GPs' unions, MG France and the CSMF, have nonetheless urged members to continuing charging the higher rate between now and January.
Related story:
GPs' €1 fee rise ruled illegal
