Eighty-seven public hospitals have activated the white plan in the face of the flu epidemic. The Sud Santé union in Marseille denounces its excessive use, which masks the structural problems of the public hospital, such as staff shortages and underfinancing.
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In France, 87 public hospitals have triggered the white plan to deal with the flu epidemic currently raging. This blank plan makes it possible in particular to deprogram certain operations or to recall staff from leave. For the Sud Santé union in Marseille, it has become “an ordinary management tool in hospitals” and warns this Saturday, January 11 about its abusive use.
“The white plan is the ultimate weapon in a crisis situation. There, it is systematically activated for situations which simply reflect the structural dysfunction of the public hospital”protests Kader Benayed, general secretary of Sud Santé in Marseille. “For example, to compensate for the lack of beds or staff, even though these problems are chronic and predictable.”. To illustrate his remarks, he compares the use of the white plan in the event of an epidemic, “like using the bazooka to kill a cockroach.”
He denounces the government’s management of epidemics, such as influenza or bronchiolitis. “Politicians say that we are ready to absorb the epidemic waves, that professionals are on deck, but that is not true. The hospital is suffocating, he is in PLS”, he assures. Kader Benayed denounces the fact that, every year, white plans are activated to manage the flu epidemic, “failure to anticipate the need for reinforcements”.
This misuse of the system masks the real problems: underfunding, deterioration of working conditions and shortage of caregivers.
Kader Benayed, Secretary General South Health 13
Vacations, burn-out, work accidents, the reasons for absences of nursing staff are multiple. But this leads to a rate of absenteeism never seen by the Sud Santé union. And the lack of personnel is not without consequences. “Having worn out professionals is dangerous for care. The load is too heavy and those present today are those absent tomorrow.”says Kader Benayed. He adds that the lack of staff leads to situations of violence against caregivers, generated by the accumulated wait in the emergency room. “I advise you not to get sick on weekends or in the evening, you will wait hours in the emergency room”, he castigates. “It is not possible, in the 5th world power, not to be able to seek treatment“.
He regrets that the white plan has become a short-term response to a permanent crisis. To get out of this crisis, the Sud Santé union believes that it is necessary to restore the attractiveness of the public hospital, by promoting nursing staff and once again protecting resources, in particular with the establishment of a health zone. priority. “Where there is a will, there is a way. We must provide the means. Staff can be found, but they must be treated with dignity”he emphasizes. To conclude, the trade unionist insists on the fact that the white plan is not designed to repair a hospital in ruins. “When the white plan becomes the norm, the public hospital loses its shape.”
