“Accessing a GP remains complicated,” notes Agnès Hochart, territorial director of the Regional Health Agency (ARS). In Doubs, in 2020, there were only 4.3 general practitioners per 10,000 inhabitants in the community of communes of the Russey plateau. 3.3 only in the Frasne plateau. 6.3 in the country of Maîche.
The cause: the aging of caregivers, many of whom retire without being systematically replaced. And, at the same time, the aging of the population, which, moreover, is increasing in the department, boosted by its proximity to Switzerland. In this context, the Regional Health Agency (ARS) acts to maintain access to care for residents.
Five new multi-professional houses
Five new multi-professional health centers (MSP) were certified by the ARS this year in rural areas: in Frasne, Pierrefontaine-les-Varans, Vercel, Morteau and Pontarlier. General practitioners, physiotherapists, pharmacists and speech therapists work together, making it possible to offer residents “a coordinated care offer”. A way of operating that is “a source of attractiveness for young people”, believes Agnès Hochart. “We have a real demand from young doctors to settle down. Around ten additional doctors were recruited, particularly in Haut-Doubs. » A sixth health center is planned in the Planoise district, in Besançon “where the problem of access to care is almost the same as in rural areas”. In total, the department now has 32 MSPs certified by the ARS.
An on-call medical center in Pontarlier, evenings and weekends
In Doubs, there was only one in Audincourt. Since 1is July, a second on-call medical center opened its doors just opposite the Pontarlier hospital where medical demographics are in tension. “5,500 patients are identified without a treating doctor and the hospital emergency department is facing difficulties recruiting doctors,” points out the ARS. Patients are welcomed there every evening of the week from 8 p.m. to midnight, Saturday afternoons from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m., Sundays, public holidays and long weekends from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. “We know how difficult it is to find care in the evening and on weekends,” points out Agnès Hochart who explains that 28 general practitioners work shifts there. Less burdensome than taking on-calls every week. “It took off straight away: there really is a habit. It’s reassuring to know that there is a place where we can go for consultation,” comments the territorial director.
A temporary office in Belleherbe
In under-resourced areas or areas with a shortage of healthcare services, the ARS finances “ephemeral practices”. In Belleherbe, “where no doctor has been present for several years”, a practice has been set up since June 17, in conjunction with the town hall, the CPTS Doubs central, the order council and the insurance disease. A young doctor is currently practicing there, who could be joined by three others in January.
“It allows young doctors to test patients in rural areas. Often, they are afraid to settle in certain areas, because the doctor who leaves has a large active queue. They say to themselves: ''Oh no I can't take that many patients''. They can test without committing,” explains Agnès Hochart. According to the territorial director, “the trial is often transformed”: ephemeral practices become multi-professional healthcare centers. “This is what happened in Frasne and Pontarlier. This is what is happening in Morteau. We should rather call it a springboard firm.”
