Sport check-ups are unnecessary

PLANS to end annual sports check-ups (January Connexion) could have serious benefits, especially as they are not vital.

Sports Minister Valérie Four neyron is following changes started in 2010 under the Sarkozy government about the real use of medical certificates which the ministry says involve a cursory check using GPs’ time best spent on real illnesses.

With 8-10 million practising sport and most needing certificates in September when clubs restart, you can see the congestion in GP surgeries.
Then the €23 fee is often reimbursed. Stopping annual checks could save Social Security around €200million.

If, as I hope, France is trying to cut the effect and cost of being a nanny state this would be a step in the right direction.

The principle should be “let the player beware” of the risks. People can still visit their GP whenever they wish for a health check-up.

Geoffrey Auckland, Cellettes