“It is an important event for the population”

“I did not necessarily expect such a welcome”, tells, surprised, Cédric Jallès. This dermatologist arrived Tuesday, January 4 at the health center of Mâcon, in Saône-et-Loire. He was hired by the departmental council, like dozens of other doctors in a few years, as part of the fight against medical deserts. On his arrival, he finds the president of the departmental council in person: “Glad to welcome you”, says André Accary.

Around the two men, elected officials and journalists, gathered for a small ceremony. A press conference is even organized, also with the mayor of Mâcon and the director of the hospital center in which he will also practice. “We are doing this because it is an important event for the population of the department. Without it, the population will find itself without medical assistance on the territory”, justifies André Accary.

For several years, the departmental council of Saône-et-Loire has hired 70 general practitioners and four specialists, spread throughout the department. “This is obviously not the job of the department, it is in addition, recognizes André Accary, but we could not – I could not – let the situation deteriorate in this territory because that is called non-assistance to person in danger. We really have to intervene for the people. “

The medical field does not actually fall under the attributions of the department but André Accardy intends to continue his recruitments. “I am still an outlaw since it is not within the competence of the department. Apparently, this situation will be rectified within a few weeks”, he slips.

To attract doctors, the departmental council does not provide a house or a car but a center, with the latest devices and a team. This is what seduced the new dermatologist: “Working in a team is something that interests me”, explains Cédric Jallès. “I am passionate about my specialty and being able to interact a little more directly with the general practitioners with whom I will be working is also of interest to me.”

Being hired by the department also allows doctors to relieve themselves of all the administrative part: making appointments, processing files … In return, they undertake to provide consultations from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and on-call of the weekend.