Auch Hospital Emergency Department Faces Critical Strain, Gers Department Calls for Immediate Action
Auch, Gers – November 8, 2023 – The Gers Departmental Council has issued an urgent appeal for intervention regarding the rapidly deteriorating situation at the Auch hospital center’s emergency department, warning of an “extremely worrying” crisis. On November 7, elected officials unanimously approved a formal request directed to regional and national health authorities, demanding an immediate emergency plan to ensure the continued operation of the vital service.
The escalating concerns stem from severe staffing shortages and resource limitations threatening access to emergency care for residents of the Gers Department. The Council’s motion specifically “requires” the Occitanie Regional Health agency and the Ministry of Health and Access to Care to provide the necessary personnel and support to stabilize the Auch emergency department, signaling a growing alarm over the sustainability of rural healthcare access. This situation builds on recent reports indicating a notable gap between available physicians and required positions – currently, only 8 doctors are available to fill 24 emergency posts, leading to schedule collapses.
Beyond immediate stabilization, the Departmental Council is advocating for a fundamental restructuring of hospital policy. The motion calls for a renewed emphasis on the public service mission of hospitals, increased valuation of healthcare professions, and a commitment to equitable access to care across all territories. This reflects a broader concern about the progressive decline of hospital systems in rural areas like Gers, were maintaining essential services is increasingly challenging.
The Council’s press release emphasizes the motion as both “an act of recognition towards caregivers” and “an act of solidarity and republican duty towards the Gersoises and the Gersois,” highlighting the dual impact of the crisis on both healthcare workers and the population they serve. Furthermore, the Department is urging all Gers parliamentarians to actively advocate for the hospital and its essential workers.
Recent reporting details the hospital’s attempts to reorganize emergency services in response to the doctor shortage, and underscores the need to proactively address access to care.
