in Orne, this doctor closes his practice… at 74 years old

His plaque had been affixed to a wall for 45 years. “It’s a great moment”, says Jean-Paul Lefèvre. At 74, this general practitioner is retiring and on this last day of work, patients bring him gifts of thanks. Others are waiting for a final consultation. An elderly woman has been his patient for 40 years, today she is worried. “I don’t have a doctor now, I have to find one, otherwise I’m going to the hospital”says Rosa Correia, a patient.

medical desert

“What I regret is that I am handing over a relay and no one is there to take it”, is sorry for his part Jean-Paul Lefèvre. Its 4,000 patients will find themselves without a doctor. In Flers (Orne), there will only be three doctors left. But a fourth will join them in April in a health center. With a population of 15,000 people, It’s not enough. The town remains hit hard by the medical desert.