In particular, the Prime Minister was questioned about the working conditions of the hospital’s nursing staff.
Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne assured health professionals that the government was “listening” on Thursday during a visit to the child and adolescent oncology department of the Gustave-Roussy institute in Villejuif, southeast Paris.
“We are listening to you”, said Elisabeth Borne, for whom this trip was “also an occasion to once again pay homage to carers and to 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 caregivers perspectives” on their career development, 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.
Working conditions are a problem
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 service closed due to lack of nurses,” he continued, believing that “the future of the hospital is a little scary,” especially given the difficulties in recruiting and retaining young nurses after the Covid crisis.
“The (Health) Minister is listening to caregivers so that our health system works better,” replied the Prime Minister, arguing that it was “important not to forget that we need” caregivers.
Élisabeth Borne and François 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.
