Doctors strike action
Doctors strike action - General practitioners are on strike today Tuesday 14th February, as doctors protest in the hope of obtaining better tariffs and to block a reform planned by the government which will facilitate access to the health sector by other caregivers.
From generalists to specialists and interns to replacements eleven organisations have denounced the “dismantling of medicine in France and the destruction of its current health system” adding, that “the time is crucial for the profession”.
Following previous protests from GPs for an increase in the cost of a consultation the government proposed a rise of 1 euro 50, from 25 to 26 euros 50 euros. The move was considered to be a "provocation" for the unions, who expected no less than 30 or 50 euros.
The director of health insurance has promised to go "further" during new meetings with the unions this week, but the negotiations supposed to end at the end of the month are also stumbling over the request for doctors – to take on more patients and provide more “on call” services in the evenings and at weekends.
Meanwhile, France’s Minister of Health, François Braun, says he hears "the anger" of general practitioners, "but also that of the French who cannot find a doctor".