Second doctors' strike on April 8

DOCTORS are planning to close their surgeries on Thursday April 8 - their second one-day strike in a month.

GPs' unions say the French healthcare system is "drifting without a pilot" and are calling for a €1 rise in the basic fee charged for a consultation, up from €22 to €23, to improve funding.

Doctors also fear that low salaries are discouraging young graduates from entering the profession, which means an increased number of patients per surgery as other doctors retire.

Another source of anger is the plan by the Assurance Maladie to fine doctors from May 1 if they continue handing out paper feuilles de soins (medical claim forms) instead of switching to the electronic Carte Vitale system.

The last strike, on March 11, saw 18% of surgeries close for the day, according to the Health Ministry.

Emergency calls to number 15 are unaffected by the industrial action.

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