the white plan launched in Haut-Rhin and Bas-Rhin

The Grand Est regional health agency (ARS) activated the white plan on Thursday, December 14 in Haut-Rhin and Bas-Rhin due to a tense situation in the hospitals of these departments affected by an epidemic of bronchiolitis and the returns from the flu and Covid-19. Activation of a white plan allows establishment directors to reorganize themselves, for example by unscheduling operations considered non-urgent or by reorganizing staff schedules.

“In a context of pressure observed on health establishments for several weeks, and after discussions with stakeholders, the ARS Grand Est has triggered the territorial mobilization plan”, she announced in a press release. The latter, however, reminds that the activation of the white plan should not lead to giving up care and invites those suffering to consult their primary care doctor, or a care center without an appointment. “In all cases, the population is asked to call 15 before going to the emergency room”she concludes.

In Alsace, the hospital situation is currently tense for several combined reasons: the epidemic of bronchiolitis in infants, an increased number of vulnerable people being treated for flu, Covid-19 or other respiratory viruses requiring hospitalization, the influx of elderly patients requiring hospitalization, and the low number of beds available at the exit of emergency services due to tensions on medical and nursing staff, further specifies the ARS.