Emergency services in various Breton cities will only be reachable via a call to 15 from now until 1 October, owing to a shortage in medical staff.
In a statement issued on July 9, the Brittany Regional Health Agency (ARS) announced changes to the access of emergency services in several hospitals, including Rennes, Saint-Malo, Fougères, Redon, Vitre, and Dinan. The changes are in response to an ongoing staff shortage that has been affecting these hospitals since the summer period and is expected to last until the end of September.
From July 1st at 6:30 PM until October 1st at 8:00 AM, access to the emergency services of these hospitals will be by prior appointment to 15. This measure is intended to better welcome serious situations and direct those who need care during this period. The SMURs of the different hospitals remain available 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.
The reception of pregnant women by the maternities remains assured 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. The Brittany Regional Health Agency's objective for the change in access to emergency services is to "ensure good reception conditions for patients requiring hospital care in the emergency rooms".
This change applies from Monday to Sunday. The ARS is making recruitment efforts for doctors to address the shortage. The change is expected to last until October 1st.
While specific details about the Brittany Regional Health Agency's situation were not available, there are several potential causes and impacts of emergency service restrictions in a healthcare setting. Staffing shortages, funding constraints, regulatory changes, and public health emergencies are common factors that can lead to service restrictions.
Patient care delays, increased burden on remaining services, community concerns, and economic impact are some of the effects that can result from emergency service restrictions. As the situation unfolds, it will be important to monitor the impact on patient care and the broader community in Brittany.
- Despite the ongoing staff shortage in French hospitals such as Rennes, Saint-Malo, and Fougères, expect prior appointment for emergency services from July 1st at 6:30 PM until October 1st at 8:00 AM, aiming to accommodate serious situations better.
- The Brittany Regional Health Agency (ARS) aims to manage chronic-kidney-disease patients and those with other chronic-diseases more effectively by directing them to the appropriate services, with a focus on health-and-wellness and minimizing potential impacts on their medical-conditions.
- As part of their efforts to mitigate the impact of chronic staff shortages, the ARS is focusing on CBD (cannabidiol) potential benefits in pain management and overall wellness, exploring its implementation within the Brittany Regional Health Agency's emergency services and health-care system.
