France: Remuneration of temporary doctors at the hospital soon to be capped

The remuneration of temporary doctors at the hospital will soon be capped. (Illustrative image) © Getty Images/Eric Audras

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On Monday, April 3, the remuneration of temporary doctors at the hospital must be strictly capped. Thus, it will not be able to exceed 1,800 euros gross for a 24-hour guard, a measure intended to put an end to salaries sometimes considered exorbitant by the authorities that can exceed 3,000 euros for 24-hour custody. But this measure arouses the anger of the caregivers concerned. This in a context where the public hospital is going through a deep crisis and is understaffed.

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Temporary doctors are threatening to refuse missions from Monday, April 3, with the risk that hospital services will be in greater difficulty, or even be forced to close. However, discussions will continue with the Ministry of Health.

For years, the authorities have wanted to regulate the rates of temporary work at the hospital, two laws have even been adopted, but they give up for fear of weakening a little more the public hospital, plagued by a shortage of staff.

This time, the government intends to implement the measure. No more 24-hour guards that could be paid 2,000 or even 4,000 euros. The cap will apply.

Anger of the unions

This provokes the anger of Dr. Eric Réboli, head of the union of hospital substitute doctors: "Salaries range from €50 per hour, that is to say about €1,000 per 24 hours, up to 1,600 in 80% of cases. So by finding an example of someone who won on July 14 a huge sum, we stigmatize just to save money. Dr. Éric Réboli warns: without temporary workers, many hospital services could be weakened.

For their part, the authorities hope that temporary workers will adapt. And that fewer statutory caregivers will leave the public hospital to return as temporary workers. Instead, medical unions are calling for improved working conditions and wages to keep them back.

►Also listen: Crisis in the hospital, on all floors

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