From Monday January 13 until February 25, access to adult and pediatric emergencies in Loire-Atlantique is limited at night. A decision from the ARS, the Regional Health Agency. Concretely, from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m., it is no longer possible to spontaneously go to the emergency room in Nantes, Saint-Nazaire, Rezé, Châteaubriant or Ancenis. You must go through 15 or be brought by the firefighters, paramedics, Samu or be referred by a health professional (your doctor or SOS Médecin etc.).
This new organization is a small revolution which has already been achieved in neighboring departments (Vendée, Sarthe and largely Mayenne).
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The vital emergency takes precedence
Until now, in Loire-Atlantique, access to emergencies was free 24 hours a day. The aim of medical regulation is to ensure that emergencies are reserved for people who need urgent care.
However, in the event that a patient presents spontaneously, he or she will be treated immediately only in the case of a life-threatening emergency. (1). Otherwise, it will be put in line with the regulation of unscheduled care. However, there is one exception to the rule: vulnerable people. Homeless people, unaccompanied minors, people suffering from psychiatric problems will have access to emergencies, even in the absence of a life-threatening emergency.
This device will be tested until February 25. But it could be sustained in the future.
(1) Vital emergencies: respiratory, circulatory, neurological distress; serious traumatic injuries; high kinetic public road accident.