At the end of 2019, numerous demonstrations by hospital staff took place in France. Salary too low, harsh working conditions, need for recognition… Health professionals sounded the alarm in the streets, demanding measures from the government. However, doctors, nurses and orderlies worked tirelessly to cope with the first wave of the coronavirus epidemic. Today, are hospitals ready to start over?
A lack of personnel in the face of exhaustion for several years
Hospitals lack nurses, but also other professionals, such as radio manipulators. Already before the coronavirus crisis, several positions were vacant. At the start of the coronavirus epidemic, the period was critical for people in the paramedical sector, working under very difficult working conditions. The situation has not improved since. At the start of the epidemic in France, hospitals in Paris were able to count on the reinforcement of caregivers from neighboring regions. Today, the virus is circulating throughout the country and each healthcare establishment must prepare to cope with a possible increase in the number of hospitalized Covid-19 patients. However, Jean Castex, the French Prime Minister, affirms that the hospital system is now better prepared “in terms of beds, masks and medication”, To welcome a new wave of patients. The government has put in place a strategy to fight Covid-19, thanks to an increase in resuscitation capacities concerning equipment. It also tends to strengthen nursing staff, thanks to health reserves.
Non-negligible stakes
The new coronavirus has grown in scale and mobilized a lot of health professionals. As a result, the care of patients with cancer or requiring an operation could not be a priority in certain establishments, overwhelmed by the influx of the number of Covid-19 patients. Surgical interventions for adults and children have been massively postponed. The state of health of some patients with chronic pathologies has worsened. The delay has not yet been made up for some hospitals, speaking of “a loss of luck”For the patients concerned, in the event of an epidemic rebound. In addition, the fall / winter season marks the start of the flu and gastro epidemic, the symptoms of which can be mistaken for those of the new coronavirus. The end of the year often includes a more sustained pace of work. Health establishments are reorganizing themselves, trying to find solutions, such as the opening of a screening center for nursing staff or a care system for their children, in the event of school closures.