Training for paramedical professionals, housing for students in the health sector… The project that is taking shape on the left bank of the Spain Barracks is favored by the Region.
This Friday, Mayor Christian Laprébende made several announcements, including one that could have lasting repercussions: the creation of a health campus on the left bank of the Gers, in the buildings of the Spain Barracks. This point, which was not on the agenda, was an opportunity for the mayor to salute the Region’s commitment to training and student housing.
During the visit of Prime Minister Jean Castex, Carole Delga, the president of the Region, had announced credits for the Barracks. “This is the only case where we can, in a prefecture, have this capacity to give a new vocation to a district on the health professions. […] Tomorrow, we are going to work on a global framework, beyond the IFSI. We are going to have a major investment project of €15 million for the accommodation of medical and health students.” But the purpose of the project, and the reason for this support from the Region, finds its source in the idea launched by the actors of the functional rehabilitation center of Roquetaillade, and tomorrow of Montégut.
La Caserne rather than Montégut
“The decision to place the new nursing school at the Barracks triggered a lot of things, confides Christian Laprébende. Dr Lange had already carried out studies to set up the new center in the Barracks, 3 years ago. He had to build housing in Montégut, for CRF staff.” Over the course of the discussions, an agreement emerged: on the one hand, the CRF housed its interns and professionals, and on the other, the municipality obtained training to make up for the lack of paramedical personnel. The mayor takes his pilgrim’s stick to convince the Region. Vice-President Vincent Bounes, in charge of Health, and who was still in Auch this Wednesday, is seduced by the idea.
It is a real university health campus which is envisaged at the Caserne Espagne, in a large part of the buildings on the left bank, on the rue du 8-Mai side. Accommodation, classrooms and catering are planned. “Initially, there was only training, says the mayor. But everything adds up. Now you need training: occupational therapist, radio operator, ambulance driver… Maybe even a part of general medicine. The coming of Vincent Bounes confirmed that the Region supports this project. The faculty, the hospital, the city, the Region, the CRF… Everything is aligned favorably today.”
“In 5 to 10 years”
Carole Delga has announced her ambition to relocate training, which the Region is in control of. This desire to develop a local health campus can benefit from this movement. Vincent Bounes should give information on these formations by the summer. Dr. Mathieu Lange, administrative and financial director of the CRF, sees it as the logical continuation of a general dynamic. “We have nearly 300 trainees a year at the CRF. They need to find accommodation and study, and paramedical health professionals are lacking everywhere. A grouping together would be beneficial for all, at a time when the barracks is being restructured, where the IFSI is setting up there, and the future Auch hospital is looming.” If the CRF is involved in the project, Mathieu Lange does not comment on the costing. Too early, not defined enough. “It is not yet evaluated, but there is a common will. But not with a wave of a magic wand! It is a regional project.”
Project that is part of a territorial health logic. “We are facing nearly 10,000 m2 of buildings… All of this requires feasibility work to complete the project quickly. I would say in 5 to 10 years. The sooner the better! We cannot be in a long-term vision.”
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