Residents of Mions, a suburb of Lyon, face significant healthcare access challenges after losing several local doctors. In response, the mayor has launched a health plan offering incentives to attract new practitioners, including financial bonuses and support for a new facility. Despite claims from the regional health agency of sufficient providers, actual availability is low. Teleconsultation is suggested as a temporary fix, while a bipartisan bill aims to improve healthcare distribution and facilitate foreign doctors’ entry into the French system.
Challenges in Accessing Healthcare in Mions
Contrary to what one might expect, the situation outlined in the report is not taking place in the heart of the countryside, but rather in the suburbs of Lyon. Just 20 kilometers southeast of the bustling city center, residents are facing the daunting challenge of securing medical care. “I have heart problems, and I desperately need a doctor, but there’s no one available,” laments one local. Another resident shares their struggle, stating, “I had to find a new doctor here, while my wife had to go to another municipality.”
Municipal Efforts to Attract Healthcare Professionals
The departure of four doctors from this municipality of 13,000 residents by the end of the year has exacerbated the crisis. In light of this urgent need, the mayor of Mions, Mickaël Paccaud, has initiated a comprehensive health plan, consisting of 25 measures designed to entice healthcare professionals to the area. “We’re committing two million euros over the next decade,” he explained. Notably, the plan includes bonuses of up to 13,000 euros for new doctors willing to set up practice in Mions.
As the medical office prepares to close its doors on December 20, the remaining four doctors express their frustration over an overwhelming workload that is driving them away from the community. “We’ve been on the hunt for partners or replacements for two years now, and finding anyone is proving impossible. The working conditions are becoming increasingly difficult,” shares Dr. Silvia Goncalves-Tavan.
Interestingly, the regional health agency claims that Mions is not lacking in healthcare providers. Before this recent exodus, the ARS reported 11 doctors for the population, exceeding the national average. However, the reality differs: “The ARS counts the numbers but fails to consider the actual working hours of the doctors. I estimate that only six are working full-time in the municipality,” says Dr. Thierry Favre.
With 3,000 patients potentially left without medical care, the community’s concern is palpable. Roger, an 87-year-old resident, voices his distress: “We feel abandoned. It’s a disaster—there’s no one left.” One proposed solution is to implement teleconsultation services through equipped booths in pharmacies, allowing patients to connect with doctors via video calls while remaining in their locality. Although this method may provide quick diagnoses, it is not seen as a comprehensive solution.
Despite the challenges, the commitment to local healthcare remains strong. To draw in new medical professionals, the mayor is proposing a new health facility that minimizes constraints on practitioners. “We can cover the rent for up to a year if necessary,” he assures, emphasizing that each doctor will have a fully equipped office. Additionally, retired medical professionals may return to practice under this new scheme, with all expenses covered by the municipality.
In a bid to address these pressing healthcare shortages, a bipartisan bill has been introduced this week. This legislation seeks to create more accurate indicators for assessing the healthcare needs of various territories, simplify the process for qualified doctors from outside the European Union to practice in France, and bolster community health centers. A particularly noteworthy and controversial aspect of the bill involves regulating the distribution of doctors across France, including the introduction of an “installation authorization” that would guide practitioners from over-served areas to those in dire need of medical support.