Hospital: more than 10% of maternity wards in "partial closure" according to a union

The figures are undoubtedly lower than the reality: out of 461 maternity wards, 122 responded to the survey conducted by the ONSSF and Santé en danger between June 1 and 26, and 49 "declare partial closures", i.e. "40 % of respondents", specify the two organizations in a press release.

For lack of sufficient staff, these establishments have reduced the wing: suppression of consultations (pregnancy follow-up, ultrasound), "stopping of birth preparation courses", even "closing of neonatology beds", of "pathological pregnancy service " or even "full wing of layer suites".

So many forced choices "which generate transfers to neighboring structures" while three of the maternities concerned "are the only ones in their departments".

Contacted by AFP, the president of the ONSSF, Camille Dumortier, specifies that these are those of Nevers, Guéret and Mayotte.

Pointing to the "difficulties of replacing" liberal midwives during their summer holidays, the ONSSF and Santé en danger warn that "the supply of perinatal and gynecological care will be reduced this summer" and deplore "degraded procedures (which) have repercussions on the care of women and newborns".

© 2022 AFP