The unions are calling on midwives to strike on October 16, and to start an unlimited sit-in in front of the health ministry. In particular, they demand access to the status of hospital practitioner.
From October 16, the proper functioning of maternity hospitals may be disrupted. The CFTC santé-sociaux, in a press release published on Wednesday, calls on midwives to strike next Wednesday, and to start the same day an unlimited sit-in in front of the Ministry of Health, to demand in particular access to status of hospital practitioner (PH). “It would be a very clear recognition of our medical status on the part of the public authorities”, confides Caroline Raquin, president of the National Organization of Midwives Trade Unions (ONSSF), contacted by why actor.
Indeed, even if the latter exercise a medical profession, they have always had the status of “paramedical”. This lack of recognition by the authorities is also felt in the remuneration of these professionals. “The statute of the hospital public service considers us as bac + 3, but we are paid as bac + 2 and a half, with not even the basic salary which corresponds to a license level. The worst thing is that in reality, we have a bac + 5, with a first year of medicine and a four-year training course that follows to become a midwife, ”explains Caroline Raquin.
Midwives perform all acts of normal pregnancy monitoring
But this cry of anger is not just a matter of remuneration. Because in hospitals, midwives depend, for the moment, entirely on their head of department concerning the policy of monitoring the pregnancy of pregnant women to be applied.
However, in practice, during pregnancies without complications, midwives perform all the procedures performed by hospital doctors specializing in pregnancy (ultrasound, preparation for childbirth, monitoring, etc.).
Listen to Caroline Raquin, president of the ONSSF: ” In the maternity hospital where I am, the midwives do everything. Consultations, ultrasounds… ”
But unfortunately, even today, the president confides that many pregnant women do not even know the broad field of competence of midwives. This is why their main demand is to be placed at the same level as doctors in hospitals, at least when monitoring normal pregnancies. Caroline Raquin also indicates that midwives are supported by most department heads in hospitals, but also since 2010, by the National College of French Gynecologists and Obstetricians, which has taken a clear position in favor of their access to the status. of hospital practitioner.
Listen to Caroline Raquin, president of the ONSSF: ” When a woman is asked if she wants a midwife or a doctor. Very often the answer is: oh well, the midwives do consultations… ”
The follow-up of a midwife: a reduced cost for the pregnant woman and the Social Security
In addition, for Caroline Raquin, making pregnancy monitoring more widely known by midwives also means providing pregnant women at a lower cost. Because, these professionals are less expensive than doctors. “The most modest households could thus save money”, recognizes the president.
“Investing in midwives and giving them access to PH status would also allow Social Security to make significant savings,” she adds. And this argument could well hit the mark with Marisol Touraine, Minister of Health, in this period when all the health insurance accounts are in the red.
Listen to Caroline Raquin, president of the ONSSF: ” If the Ministry of Health invested in midwives, the savings would be three times the initial investment. The expected gain would amount to millions… ”
An indefinite strike could seriously disrupt maternity hospitals
Anyway, these health professionals do not intend to let go of the minister, who according to Caroline Raquin, has received all the medical professions since taking office, except that of midwives. This is why, in addition to the sit-in, the president is already announcing that the strike will be the best way to be heard.
Indeed, if the latter is renewed and becomes unlimited, the functioning of maternity hospitals would be greatly disrupted. A scenario that Marisol Touraine will undoubtedly seek to avoid at all costs, five months before the municipal elections …
Listen to Caroline Raquin, president of the ONSSF: “ If we go into restriction and minimum service, there will only be midwives left in the delivery room and in emergency. In all other services, there will be no more… ”
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