Yasmina Kattou / Photo credits: Amaury Cornu / Hans Lucas / Hans Lucas via AFP
At the call of their unions, liberal doctors will break ground this Friday, October 13, on the occasion of a new day of mobilization of the inter-union. Objective: to demand an increase in the price of the consultation. Consequence: many practices will be closed this Friday, forcing patients to redirect to the public sector.
This Friday October 13 will mark a new day of strike in France. After the start of 2023 where processions multiplied to oppose pension reform and the cost of living, the unions intend to return to the forefront on Friday. Among the demonstrators, there will be many liberal doctors. The 12 unions representing the profession called for a renewable strike from October 13, just before new tariff negotiations are on the agenda and the arrival of the examination in the Senate of a bill, which exasperates many practitioners.
Demonstrate the importance of the role of private doctors
Liberal medicine “will stop to give a strong signal to the public authorities”, warned the unions. Consequence: many patients risk finding themselves faced with closed office doors. And it will not be without consequences, warns Philippe Cuq, spokesperson for the 12 unions and collectives of doctors who are calling for a strike.
“Consultations are unscheduled, interventions are unscheduled, technical procedures are unscheduled… Emergencies will be transferred to the public hospital. But with the problem of the public hospital today and the emergency services which will be saturated , we will demonstrate that our role is still important”, underlines the spokesperson at the microphone of Europe 1.
A sustained mobilization
Philippe Cuq announces a very significant mobilization of doctors – unionized or not – among the more than 80,000 liberals who provide around two million consultations every day. Consultations which risk being canceled until further notice even though last year the movement had lasted several weeks.
Among the expectations of professionals: an increase in prices. At the general practitioner, it will increase to 26.50 euros per consultation on November 1st. Insufficient for the strikers who are demanding a minimum of 30 euros, or even 50 euros for certain unions.