Residents are still in shock. On the night of Wednesday September 27 to Thursday September 28, 2023, a 6-month-old girl died following a respiratory problem in the town of Carhaix, in Finistère. According to information from the local newspaper, The Poher, she could not have been properly taken care of by the emergency services. The reason ? The closure of the Carhaix emergency room between 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 a.m. since September 1, 2023. His parents would therefore have called emergency services. Once there, around 5 a.m., they were unable to resuscitate the child. Contacted by the media, the management of the Brest CHRU confirmed the death, but reserved any comment: “We share the family’s grief at this time of mourning. We confirm the information of the death, but out of respect for the family, we will not comment on this information.” In a statement released later today, the hospital strongly denied “any link” with the tragedy and the closure of emergency rooms. And for good reason, according to them, the emergency rooms are not closed. “Regulating an emergency service does not mean closing emergencies. From 6 p.m. to 8 a.m. since September 1, 57 patients have been treated on site in the emergency room of Carhaix hospital.
The hospital defends itself
A situation which has lasted for almost a month and which is proving to be dangerous and anxiety-provoking for the city’s inhabitants. The mayor of Carhaix broke his silence with France 3 Thursday September 28, 2023 and also refuses any link: “I cannot afford to make accusations of this type. It’s too serious. There will undoubtedly be an investigation“ he added. Statements that did not calm the residents. This is particularly the case of Matthieu Guillemot, spokesperson for the Defense and Vigilance Committee of the Carhaix hospital, who expressed his anger, always to France 3 : “We are angry after the death of this little girl. It is inexcusable. This closure is costing lives”. A demonstration was planned for Saturday September 30, 2023 in front of the Quimper prefecture to demand the hospital be open 24 hours a day. A gathering which took place around 12 p.m. and which mobilized between 750 and 1,000 people. Tensions were reported, scuffles broke out shortly after 1:30 p.m. with tear gas jets. Unfortunately, this didn’t work: “We got nothing.” regretted the mayor of Carhaix to West France. “We will come back”. This is what is said.