The French Parliament is considering legislation that would introduce limits on where doctors can establish their practices, in an effort to combat unequal access to medical care and ‘medical deserts’.
Doctors in France enter two categories; Employees directly by the State (which work in hospitals) and those who work in their own practices in the community, this would include doctors from head or family doctors, as well as specialists such as gynecologists, dermatologists or pediatricians.
The second group, known as Liberaux – Operate as self -employed (although their patients can still have their medical costs covered by the State), and establish a practice that they want, regardless of the number of other doctors who already practice in that area.
But a new bill currently before Parliamenta is looking to introduce some restrictions on where doctors can establish new Cabinets (Practices) by creating a requirement that doctors seek the approval of the Regional Health Agency (AGONCE RENTO DE SANTIÉ) In advance.
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The idea is that doctors who want to open practices in an area with a shortage of doctors would approve it automatically. However, those who want to open a cabinet In an area with a sufficient number of doctors, I could not establish their practice until another doctor (in the same specialty) leaves or retires.
This would apply to both Medecina Généraliste and specialists.
The bill is the last measure to try to address ‘medical deserts’ or areas without sufficient doctors: the bill indicates that eight million people in France currently live in a medical desert.
Read more: Folder: In which part of France does the best access to medical care have?
“No one will be forced to establish where they do not want. This system simply avoids more inequalities in access to medical care,” said socialist deputy Guillaume Garot (who presented the bill) to Le Parisien.
However, the bill has been criticized by unions that represent doctors, with concerns that measures could discourage health workers.
Last week, 15 groups representing doctors published a press release by calling the bill ‘coercive’ and ‘counterproductive’.
The debates about the rest of the text, which would also disburse rates for patients without a primary care doctor and will restore a grimace to the attention of the call, will resume in assembly as of May 5.
In January, France instituted similar rules for dental surgeons (Quirviens-Dentistes). In overloaded areas “where the provision of medical care, larger dental surgeons” can only establish a new practice if they are replacing a dish that is being removed.
There are also rules of ‘one by one’ comparable for independent nurses, physiotherapists and independent midwives.
Read more: Folder: How to find medical professionals in France
What about the general shortage of France or doctors?
According to OECD data, France has 32 doctors per 10,000 people, slightly below the 37 OECD average.
However, access is unequal, with people in rural areas more likely to fight to find a doctor, dentist or other health professional.
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There are other schemes ongoing to address this problem, including an increase in the number of places available in medicine schools.
Some communes have also decided to combat medical deserts with medical buses that Itineran, there are also plans for more mobile clinics, with previous proposals to add them to trains stations.
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