In front of the hospital, there are several thousand of them. A forest of Breton flags, union pennants, and on everyone’s lips this slogan: “Carhaix Carhaix Résistance”. This Saturday, October 12, 2024, a large crowd gathered in Carhaix (29) to demand an end to regulated reception in the hospital emergency rooms. More than 10,000 people according to the organizers, more like 3,500 according to the authorities.
“We want to put pressure”
This new demonstration comes as the city’s emergencies have been regulated since the summer of 2023. This means that for a patient to go to the emergency counter, the Samu, previously called, must have authorized him to do so. But for more than a year, in most cases, online doctors have been redirecting nearby residents to hospitals in Lorient, Quimper, Brest or Saint-Brieuc, all more or less 1 hour away.
Saturday October 12, among the Breton and political flags, many signs display a large H – for hospital, and this slogan: “Carhaix, resistance”. © Radio France – Martin Duffaut
However, a crisis protocol was signed in October 2023. It guaranteed the preservation of surgical and maternity services, which were under threat, and a guarantee of reopening emergencies at night, without a precise timetable having been set. But for a year, nothing has changed, denounce the demonstrators. So before a meeting on Wednesday October 16 at the Quimper prefecture, bringing together the signatories of the crisis management protocol, “we want to put pressure”smiles the mayor of Carhaix, Christian Troadec.
Speech by the mayor of Carhaix, Christan Troadec, during the demonstration on Saturday October 12, 2024 in front of the town’s hospital. © Radio France – Martin Duffaut
Such a big demonstration, “we haven’t seen that for over 15 years”
For this, the procession, assembled from 11:30 a.m. in front of the hospital, then heads towards the gendarmerie brigade located 500 meters away. There, in a good-natured atmosphere, a few smoke bombs are set off, firecrackers lit, to the sound of binious and other bombs. Mayor Christian Troadec has no doubt: with such pressure, the authorities will eventually give in.
This October 12, within the binious and the drums, the demonstrators arrive in front of the Carhaix gendarmerie. Objective: to put pressure on the authorities. © Radio France – Martin Duffaut
“More than 10,000 people gathered in Carhaix, it’s historic, he assures, We haven’t seen that in over 15 years.” At the time, in 2008, residents fought to maintain maternity and surgical services, and they won. Questioned by France Bleu Breizh Izel about the implementation of the crisis management protocol at Carhaix hospital, the Regional Health Agency (ARS) did not respond.
More than 10,000 people marched in Carhaix on October 12, 2024 according to the organizers, more like 3,500 according to the authorities. © Radio France – Martin Duffaut
