The caregivers of the Dunkirk hospital gathered at the call of the unions, two weeks after the announcement of the closure of 5 follow-up care beds, for lack of doctors. Everyone fears the gradual death of the historic establishment.
“Like the Titanic, the public hospital is sinking. Help.” “Is there a doctor to save HMZ?” The placards of the mobilized employees illustrate the despair in which they have been plunged for several days.
The hundred nurses and caregivers mobilized this Friday, March 31 work at HMZ, the maritime hospital of Zuydcoote. A hospital “en crisis”, assures the staff gathered in front of the entrance gates.
The information was communicated to them on March 17, 2023, at the end of the Establishment Medical Commission: 45 follow-up care beds will be closed “temporarily” for lack of doctors on the 178 beds that the hospital currently has.
In question, the departure of three doctors: one is retiring, the other two choose the private sector. Management struggles to recruit professionals.
The mission of follow-up care is to reduce the consequences and sequelae of certain patients in order to regain living conditions as close as possible to those which preceded their hospital stay.
“I’m here to support my hospital and to appeal to doctors: we’re just waiting for them”, launches Myriam Evrard, mobilized caregiver. “Where will the patients, the elderly go? They will die at home. There are no other solutions on the territory”, deplores Christelle Ryckebusch, medical secretary also present in front of the establishment.
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Christelle Ryckebusch, medical secretary of the maritime hospital of Zuydcoote
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©FTV
She does not believe in a temporary bed closure. She takes as an example the transformation of a service into a day hospital which was to be temporary and which has lasted for three years. “In Zuydcoote, when temporary measures are taken, they are in fact permanent”.
A fear shared by the unions. In a letter sent to the elected officials of the territory, the CGT of the hospital alerts. “We know all too well what this closure will mean for patients as well as for staff because most of the time, these temporary closures become permanent”, can we read. According to the mobilized employees, this deterioration of the public healthcare offer will force patients in the territory to turn to private centers, at the very least “for those who can afford it.
Our hospital has been abandoned for years.
Gautier Delcambre, CGT delegate of the maritime hospital of Zuydcoote
“Our hospital has been abandoned for years, summarizes Gautier Delcambre, CGT delegate at the maritime hospital. It is a geriatrics service that is closing, so there is a big threat for the elderly in Dunkirk. Dunkirk CH will not be able to cope with the influx of patients. According to the trade unionist, if “(we) let it happen, in two years at most, it’s over”.
For its part, the management ensures that this situation is only temporary and that the maritime hospital of Zuydcoote is rather in a dynamic of extension. On paper anyway.
