Nursing shortage in France

[valk]

KIOSKParis press review

by David Anderson

From our special in France

What's ailing French nurses

Despite a healthcare system ranked among the world's best, French hospitals and clinics suffer from an already problematic nurse shortage, La Vie reports in its March 15 issue. Higher entry quotas in nursing schools and recent wage incentives have yet to land enough new graduates on the market, while many hospitals employ temporary personnel or underqualified labor to meet demands.

"At the Hôpital Saint-Louis, we've already had to close down several services because of staff shortages," says Thierry Amouroux, a nurse. Incomes have stalled in the last years, although the nursing profession has become increasingly technical and demanding.

"The job no longer attracts young people," the weekly writes. "They see particularly difficult working conditions, low wages, important responsibilities, unpredictable time schedules and a lack of recognition."

Back from Kosovo and now at the Health Ministry's helm, Bernard Kouchner said he plans to bring in graduates from abroad until new French students finish the three- to five-year track. "We have no choice, we absolutely have to respond to demand immediately," he said.

Looks like it truely is a small world afterall.

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

french nurses take up baton in week of health strikes (1/22/2002 8:51:00 am)

http://www.nursinghands.com/news/newsstory.html?9374

paris, jan 22 (afp) - french nurses went on strike tuesday to demand pay increases, on a second straight day of disruption for the country's health service.

unions representing some 47,000 self-employed nurses said they expected between 70 and 80 percent of their members to take part in the strike, and called for a protest march in the afternoon to the employment and solidarity ministry in paris.

some school and hospital nurses also stopped work for the day.

unions said they want a package of 230 million euros (202 million dollars) to augment the fees and allowances paid to the self-employed nurses, many of whom work up to 70 hours a week and travel long distances to see their patients.

talks with employment and solidarity minister elisabeth guigou were scheduled for tuesday evening.

on monday unions repesenting 780,000 hospital ancillary staff called for a day of protest, demanding the creation of 80,000 new jobs to accompany the introduction in france of the reduced 35 hour week. however the impact on hospitals was very limited.

more disruption was expected wednesday, when family doctors are due to stage a "no doctor day" and close their practices for 24 hours. they will be joined by some specialists, ambulance drivers, dentists and emergency workers.

the country's 60,000 self-employed general practitioners are demanding higher fees for consultations and home visits.

a package worth 732 million euros (644 million euros) has been offered by the social security fund cnam, and the second largest doctors' union was to hold more talks with the fund's management later tuesday.

the protests in the health service come three months ahead of elections in france, a propitious time for pressing home concessions from the government.

a majority of the population -- as well as political parties of both left and right -- have expressed support for the doctors.

copyright 2002 agence france-presse. all rights reserved.

agence france-presse

yes, the nursing shortage, lack of students entering the profession and workplace conditions are universal themes.

[donmurray]

Ironically, this is happening as the first group of British NHS patients are in France for treatment at a private hospital in Lille. This is the start of a package of measures to cut waiting times in Britain.