Medical deserts: the Channel’s plan to attract doctors

La Manche has 1,131 physicians in regular activity (general practitioners and specialists), ie a density of 237 physicians per 100,000 inhabitants. This rate is much lower than the national average of 281. The territory which is part of the Normandy region is therefore considered a medical desert. And the forecasts for these inhabitants are hardly reassuring, since the trends predict a drop in the number of doctors until 2020.

In 2015, the average age of doctors was 53 years old (27% over 60). The Council of the Ordre des Médecins de la Manche estimates that 60 general practitioners would be likely to retire soon, which poses real concerns about access to care and overloading the remaining doctors.

The challenge for the Channel is therefore to quickly attract health professionals in order to maintain and even develop the number of practitioners. To achieve this goal, a new medical demography policy has been announced.

Seven major actions

In a press kit published this jThursday, the departmental council indeed informs that it has chosen to orient its actions towards three different categories of professionals, “the most relevant in view of the expected benefits”. These are students of medicine and odontology, young doctors and dentists and health professionals from other regions in search of a change of life.

Considering the two determining criteria in the choice of a place of installation which are the quality of life and the professional network, Manche has deployed a strategy in seven actions. The first is intended for young doctors or dentists providing replacements and collaborations. During their first 3 semesters, the department hopes to attract them with a flat-rate bonus of € 4,200 per semester, “for a minimum half-time equivalent of replacements or collaborations with colleagues, in group practices or in under-resourced areas. », He specifies.

Then during the following 3 semesters, if the professional engages in a collaboration, under the same conditions as above, the flat-rate premium remains at € 4,200 per semester; “On the other hand, it decreases to € 2,100 if it continues to only make replacements”. Half a carrot that remains attractive …

Access to employment for spouses

In addition, “when the spouse has decided to follow, it is essential that he or she finds a suitable job for his or her own development and the sustainability of the family and professional project,” explains Philippe Bas, president of the departmental council. of the Channel. We must therefore redouble our efforts on this support, which is essential and I wanted measures to be more efficient, ”he continues. Concretely, the new measures taken are the appeal to one or more specialized recruitment firms; the establishment of a “job fair” for spouses; and partnerships with local structures will be established.

Finally, the Manche department offers personalized support for the installation of a professional and his family. To this end, a person in charge of medical demography is the contact person for professionals for all their procedures and questions such as support for installation procedures: finding accommodation for professionals who come from another region, contacts of schools or activities for children… etc. The objective is to facilitate the procedures for these families who lack the time to organize their change of region.