Liberal doctors are called to strike this Friday, October 13. Representative unions are calling in particular for an upgrading of community medicine.
- A call for a strike was launched by an inter-union made up of 12 unions of liberal doctors and students.
- The liberal doctors’ strike is scheduled for Friday October 13 and will be renewable.
- The inter-union expects a mobilization “much greater” than the number of unionized doctors.
On Tuesday, October 10, an inter-union made up of 12 unions of liberal doctors and students launched a call for a strike. “From Friday October 13, liberal medicine will stop to give a strong signal to the public authorities. Unquestionably it is a black Friday, and it will be renewed (…) All consultation activities, technical acts, are deprogrammed”announced Philippe Cuq, president of the Bloc (surgeons’ union) and spokesperson for the inter-union, during a press conference.
A mobilization “much greater” than the number of unionized doctors
This strike by private doctors has two objectives: the resumption of negotiations with Health Insurance and the denunciation of the Valletoux bill, aimed at improving access to care and responding to territorial health inequalities, which will be examined by the Senate of October 24 to 26.
In 2022, the conventional negotiations between Health Insurance and private doctors had failed. This led to a revaluation of at least 1.50 euros of the basic consultation, i.e. 26.50 euros for the general practitioner. Nevertheless, private doctors in France are demanding an increase in consultation prices and investments from public authorities. “We cannot live with 1990 prices”, underlined Philippe Cug before adding that “we do not invest enough in private medicine in France”.
In the case of this Friday’s strike, no demonstration is planned. “I don’t think it changes for political power to see 10,000 doctors in the street. What changes is that the doctors stop and there is a real health crisis”, declared the spokesperson for the group. On the other hand, the inter-union predicts a mobilization “well in excess” of the number of unionized doctors (around 10%).
Strike on Friday October 13: what to do if you have an appointment planned with a private doctor?
First, call your doctor before going to his office. If your practitioner is on strike and the appointment can wait, you can postpone it. In case of emergency, you can dial 15 so that medical officers can direct you. However, hospital emergency services will surely be overwhelmed during the strike day. “Finding a doctor will be very complicated”warned Soline Guillaumin, spokesperson for the Doctors for Tomorrow collective, at BFMTV.
What about SOS Médecins? Some platform practitioners will also be on strike this Friday, October 13, according to the inter-union. Due to the mobilization, it will therefore be difficult to have a consultation with a health professional of this device.
