saturated, the emergencies ask patients to prefer a consultation with their doctor

In Arcachon (Gironde), the emergency department is overwhelmed, Saturday April 16. Patients have been waiting for several hours in the corridor. “We’ve only been waiting for a blood test for three hours“, declares a patient, who came with his daughter. More than 10,000 patients have already been welcomed since the beginning of the year, a record crowd generally known during the summer holidays.

“I think that many patients who come have nothing to do here (…). I invite them to come only if they really think that their life is in danger, and that they have no other solution for their care”, advises Dr. Rémy Lapeyre, head of emergencies. The pressure on emergencies could increase during the long weekend due to the flu epidemic and the lack of healthcare personnel. The good reflex is to first call on the general practitioners, or dial 15 for the most serious cases.