“We are at your service“, said Elisabeth Borne for whom this trip was “also the occasion once again to pay homage to carers and tell them that we are by their side“. She was accompanied by the Minister of Health, François Braun, and the Secretary of State for Children, Charlotte Caubel.
The head of government insisted on the need to “give perspectives to caregivers” on the evolution of their career, speaking in particular of the vote for the creation of a public service dedicated to the validation of acquired experience (VAE).
The VAE allows caregivers to have their professional skills recognized and sometimes to access new professions.
Elisabeth Borne was also questioned by hospital teams about working conditions. “It is a very nice service, with working conditions that remain correct compared to certain other hospitals, but it is very very critical,” warned Béatrice Pontillo, a nurse at Gustave-Roussy for 29 years.
“We have an entire ward closed due to lack of nurses“, he continued, considering that”the future of the hospital is a little scary”, especially in view of the difficulties in recruiting and retaining young nurses after the Covid crisis.
“The Minister (of Health) listens to caregivers so that our health system works better“, replied the Prime Minister, arguing that it was “important not to forget that we need” carers.
Ms Borne and Mr Braun also met Pétula and Sardine, two professional clowns from the Rire Médecin association, which has been working in Gustave-Roussy and throughout France for 31 years to entertain and support sick children.
Obligatory Christmas, the head of government and her two ministers distributed some gifts and visited the rooms of Wissam, 13 years old and Elie, 18 months old.