Why the 26 new beds at this Loire-Atlantique hospital remain desperately empty

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L’intercommunal hospital of the country of Retz (HIPR) in Pornic (Loire-Atlantique) is faced with a paradox. Despite a very recent investment of €6,120,000 to expand and modernize its premises, the establishment still cannot open 26 units additional medical rehabilitation services (SMR) due to lack of nursing staff.

Flexibility at work

Thierry Fillautdirector of the HIPR, deplores this situation: “We support the CH of Saint-Nazaire and the CHU of Nantes. But we cannot accommodate these new 26 beds.”

However, the establishment has done everything possible to attract new professionals. Attractive working conditions are offered, with flexibility in the organization of working time, as highlighted Marie-Rose Henrydirector of human resources: “We offer flexibility, with organizations working 12 hours or 7.30 hours of work”.

The 12-hour schedule is an exception, but it is popular with agents who find it more beneficial. In general, they therefore work 12 hours and have one weekend in three. But it could be every other weekend, for example if the agent is in a shared custody situation, on a personal level.

The hospital is also banking on the possibility for caregivers to choose their place of exercise among the different HIPR sites, seeking to respond as much as possible to initial demand.

“Some agents prefer to always stay on the same site, where previously it was necessary to be mobile across two or even three sites. » In Pornic La Chaussée (86 beds once the 26 beds can open), Pornic center (115 beds), but also in Paimbœuf (98 nursing home beds), Saint-Père-en-Retz (40 nursing home beds ) and Villeneuve-en-Retz (126 beds).

Around thirty patients waiting every day

The opening of these new beds would make it possible to meet strong demand, with waiting list of around 30 patients each day.

“As soon as the beds are open, they will be immediately occupied,” assures Thierry Fillaut. For Marie-Rose Henry, the situation is frustrating: “We have the tool, but not the staff. For these twenty-six beds, we need four nurses state graduates and six caregivers ».

For HIPR leaders, who matters around 500 employeesthe lack of healthcare personnel is a “national problem, accentuated by the Covid crisis”. Thierry Fillaut explains it by “an awareness of the balance between professional and personal life”.

The establishment has nevertheless put in place several initiatives to try to compensate for this lack.

“We tailor-made and we adjust”

A shared human resources platform called “Côté Soins” was created. It aims to facilitate the recruitment and retention of healthcare professionals.

The hospital is also adapting to the new expectations of caregivers in terms of quality of life at work.

“We tailor-made and constantly adjust to ensure continuity of care, in constant coordination with healthcare executives,” says Marie-Rose-Henry.

Actions to preventburnoutsuch as “laughter yoga” sessions, are offered. The hospital also has a occupational health service. Here too, the hospital is currently recruiting a doctor.

Scheduled for October, the opening had to be postponed

For the record, the inauguration of the new HIPR premises took place on September 18, 2024. The establishment therefore now has 86 beds instead of 60.

This expansion, which lasted two years, was 70% financed by the hospital itself, with the participation of the Pays de la Loire Regional Health Agency (€1,800,000) and the Region Pays de la Loire (€107,000).

“We expected to be able to open the new beds in stages from October 2024, but everything was called into question during the month of August, recruitment having experienced difficulties at that time,” adds Marie-Rose Henry.

The HIPR therefore continues its recruitment policy very active. He participated on Friday November 8, 2024 in the job dating organized by the Groupe actu including The Courier du pays de Retzin Saint-Brevin-les-Pins. With a jobs page on its website, it also looks at different platforms to find candidates, Indeed, Facebook, etc.

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