This new incident was relayed by the Bordeaux University Hospital unions, who denounce the dilapidation of the establishment and the lack of means implemented to remedy it.
Le Figaro Bordeaux
French public hospitals are increasingly dilapidated. An untenable situation for staff, who flee to the private sector or change jobs, due to lack of acceptable working conditions. The Bordeaux university hospital center (CHU) is no exception. In 2021, a renovation plan of around 1.2 billion euros over ten years was launched and six million euros were released in 2023 by the regional health agency for urgent waterproofing and air conditioning. Despite these announcements, yet another incident has tarnished the image of the hospital.
During the night from Sunday to Monday, a piece of ceiling, damaged due to probable water infiltration, collapsed on the bed of a patient who had just given birth. However, she was not injured and her baby was not in the room. “She was on the side of the bed and fortunately it didn’t hit her head-on, but patients shouldn’t be worried about hitting a ceiling on the head when coming to the emergency room, maternity ward or in any service »deplores Julien Dulou, Sud Santé Sociaux union delegate at Bordeaux University Hospital. Criticizing the dilapidation of the health establishment, the caregiver denounces a situation “catastrophic for those who work on site and also for the people who come for treatment”.
Soaked with moisture, the cardboard of a ceiling tile collapsed onto a patient’s bed. South Health and Social Union Bordeaux University Hospital
“A hospital that is leaking everywhere”
This is indeed not an isolated incident. On September 14, metal slats fell from the ceiling in an emergency room at Pellegrin hospital, “on a 16 year old girl who was with her dad in a bed”recalls Julien Dulou. “They took the slats to the head, but the dad was able to block it.” Two incidents which illustrate the whole problem of the dilapidation of the CHU. “When it rains too much at UHCD (short-term hospitalization unit, Editor’s note)we have to put boxes against the walls because it’s dripping”adds the trade unionist. “The maternity ward is on the 2nd floor, out of four, if the fleet gets there, you can imagine what it’s like on the fourth. They have a completely closed box because of infiltration. It’s still problematic to have a hospital that’s leaking everywhere.” With such working conditions, “they really do everything they can to recruit staff”quips Julien Dulou.
“When it’s raining in torrents and it’s pouring all over the walls, we have to take care of putting trash cans to catch the rain and then empty them, but that shouldn’t be how we spend our time »curses the caregiver. So many situations which force staff to be less able to devote themselves to their mission, with an impact on the reception given to patients. “A ceiling that falls means that the room is closed and there is therefore one less bed while repairs take place”details Julien Dulou. Contacted this Thursday by Le Figarothe Bordeaux University Hospital did not wish to respond to our requests.
