Saturated emergencies and breathless caregivers. Consequence in particular of the triple epidemic of Covid, influenza, bronchiolitis and the influx of patients in hospitals, also reinforced since the beginning of the week by the strike of the liberal doctors who demand the doubling of the price of the consultation, from 25 to 50 euros. In this context, in Abbeville, in the Somme, a new system is being tested: general medicine consultations are provided at the entrance to the emergency department.
Relieved healthcare professionals
Right next to the front door, a brand new room which, in normal times, is used to accommodate emergencies. But since Monday, it has turned into a consultation room. Doctor Michel Khouri welcomes the surplus of patients there who have not been able to find general practitioners. “Between the holidays and the strike, there are still 19 patients who went to that room, who benefit from it, consult, leave with an exit order, but without going to the emergency services or the care is heavier and clutters the activity.”
Among the patients of the day, Rémi, 87, who has had leg pain for several days, and whose attending physician is on vacation. This one-off measure relieves Stéphanie, a nurse in the department. “Today, we have a long, long wait. We are waiting at least 5 hours before treatment, with a lot of doctors absent. It would be good if we had one every day.”
A home doctor every day, after all. But at least until Friday, when the doctors’ strike ends.