Health. Cotentin: after 48 years, a doctor “forced” to abandon his patients

Since December 12, 2022Dr. Gabriel Fatôme, installed in the communal medical office of Bretteville (Manche) for five years, had to stop his activities as a general practitioner due to health concerns and hospitalisation which lead him today to put an end to his professional career which began in 1975.

Then a young doctor, he had established himself with four colleagues in the medical office located at 21, rue de la Bucaille in Cherbourg. This well-known doctor in the Place de Cherbourg therefore remained until 2018 at the cabinet de la Bucaille, although alone at the end after the going to retire of two of his colleagues and a new orientation for two others.

From La Bucaille to Bretteville

“It is also on this date that my wife Anne-Marie is deceased. She was the granddaughter of the founder of The Channel Press. Also the creation of a medical center in Bretteville, desired by the municipality, was welcome because it brought me closer to my home located in this municipality for fourteen years. Dr. Philippe Hardouin was already in place. Then came GP Florence Cardona. Without my health concerns, I would have continued my activity in the company of my faithful secretary for years”, continues Dr. Fatôme, who is 76 years old.

While retirement age is at the heart of political debate today, its example of longevity is uplifting. “Many patients have followed me from Cherbourg to Bretteville, some are even from the 4^e generation. I’m sad for them, I feel like I’m abandoning them and leaving them open country when it became a nightmare to find a treating doctor. Today, I already feel the lack of this permanent intellectual activity which made my life and which stopped abruptly. I must first recover my health before moving on to something else, “adds the person concerned, a member of the Rotary Club of which he was the president, also a follower of bridge a you golf.

A profession that has evolved

Grandson of a naval doctor and great-grandson of a doctor in Barfleur, Gabriel Fatôme is also the father of three children, including a daughter who is also a doctor, and nine grandchildren, one of whom is in the first year of medicine.

For 48 years, Gabriel Fatôme has seen his profession evolve with the improvement of sciencemore technology and communication, no more time-consuming exams. “In 1975, there was three surgeons in town and we had an appointment within eight days. Young doctors now have other interests that have evolved with society. There are more generalists but they work fewer hours. The job is part of life like the rest,” he concludes.

From our correspondent Roger LESCROEL

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