In seven months, the situation has particularly deteriorated at the mental health center of the Dracénie Hospital Center (CHD), where the reduction in activity is no longer a threat, but a reality. “The forced hospitalization service will close. It’s official, for lack of doctors”, assures a representative of the CGT (1). According to the union, the service has more than two psychiatrists who represent 1.6 full-time equivalent (FTE). “The one who is currently at 60% has requested a transfer to another establishment”, indicates Marlène Lafoucrière, deputy secretary of the CGT. The call for air, which was for a time envisaged with the probable arrival of a new doctor, gave way to great disillusion within the teams. “The situation is only getting worse”drops a caregiver.
Closing beds?
Last November, they were still 5.6 full-time equivalents (FTE) “while technically we have 8.6 FTEs to fill”, continues Marlene Lafoucriere. Faced with this situation, a reorganization plan has been studied for more than three weeks between the management of the establishment and the Regional Health Agency (ARS).
This, according to the CGT, provides for the end of forced hospitalizations (10% of beds), but would also be accompanied by an overall reduction in beds (of the order of 50%) “to make the mental health center more attractive, according to management. And thus attract hospital practitioners”.
A strategy that is not shared by the CGT.
A 30-year perspective
For the union, this project is experienced as a step back. “It’s a decline of thirty years of psychiatric care”deplores Marlène Lafoucrière, who does not understand why cooperation within the framework of the Territorial Hospital Groups (GHT) does not apply in psychiatry.
“We have been campaigning for several months for healthcare staff to come and help us at the GHT level. Incentive bonuses within the framework of territorial cooperation are even associated for hospital doctors”loose the union representative, who feels a sense of abandonment.
“A retroplanning is in place to see how the closure is organized. Activity is being reduced.”
According to the CGT, four beds should be open in the emergency department. Door-beds for 72 hours in order to assess the patient before deciding whether or not he requires compulsory hospitalization. “In the case of compulsory hospitalization, it will have to be diverted to other Var establishments (Fréjus, Pierrefeu)?”, continues the union representative. Such an organization within the emergency department involves work to fit out a therapeutic isolation room, but also the establishment of a dedicated team.
This reduction in activities is a real blow for the teams who have mobilized over the past two years to deal with the explosion in the number of patients linked to the Covid epidemic. “30% of consultations are post-Covid”, slips a nurse. In the longer term, some staff are wondering about extra-hospital activities, the demands of which are constantly increasing, both at the Psychological Medical Center (CMP) and at the day hospital. “We are really very worried about the future of the patients, not to mention those coming from the Nourradons remand center, or evacuated by the police to the CHD. What will become of them? Will they end up in the emergency room, tied to a bed?”
1. Any coercive measure requires several prescriptions from different psychiatrists. The lack of practitioners would no longer allow the operation of this service.
Contacted several times, the ARS did not respond to our calls.
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