Move to bring extra doctors to under-served areas of France begins next week
Appointments will be available through dedicated tool
The scheme will operate in 151 areas of the country classed among the worst-served by GPs in France
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A scheme that begins next week will send GPs to offer appointments in France’s ‘medical deserts’ where up to 2.5 million people reside.
“This flagship measure will become a reality and will provide a concrete and immediate response to French people who, too often, still struggle to find a doctor,” said the Health Ministry in a press release.
Doctors will work up to two days per month in 151 priority areas across France – seen here on our map – identified as having a serious shortage of doctors and medical practitioners. These predominantly rural areas are classified as medical deserts.
The scheme is currently voluntary, and doctors who sign up will receive a financial incentive.
This comprises a flat-rate fee of €200 for each day worked, in addition to the consultation fees received from patients.
How will the system work?
This scheme is the first in a series of measures taken to tackle France’s medical deserts, said Yannick Neuder, Minister of Health and Access to Healthcare.
It will be rolled out “progressively” from next week, although precise details are yet to be specified.
To book appointments, patients in the 151 zones will be able to use a ‘dedicated tool’ that will be available when the scheme officially launches.
Those taking advantage of the new scheme will not need to pay any additional fees (dépassement d’honoraires) over the cost of the appointment.
Does measure go far enough?
“Ensuring every French person has access to quality care, wherever they live, is my top priority,” said Mr Neuder in the press release.
“Today, we are scaling up by organising and expanding solidarity medicine to serve the French people furthest from the healthcare system,” he added.
However, some politicians have said that the measure does not go far enough in attempting to tackle the issue.
Socialist MP Guillaume Garot spearheaded a call for stricter measures, culminating in a new law to prevent new doctors from opening practices where there were already a sufficient number of GPs (unless to replace a retiree), in effect requiring new doctors to open in under-served areas.
Others also pointed towards making the scheme mandatory, but for the moment the government has opted for it to be voluntary.
