“New CHU Construction on Nantes Island to Cost 55 Million More than Expected: Regional Chamber of Accounts Report”

The construction of the new CHU on the island of Nantes will cost more than expected. The cost of the project, previously estimated at 1.254 billion euros, will increase “au minimum” of 55 million, warns the regional chamber of accounts in its latest report released on Monday. The flash audit will be reviewed by members of the hospital’s supervisory board on Monday May 15.

55 million more

Who will pay these 55 million additional euros, due to a sharp increase in the cost of the work with inflation? A question still unanswered, points out the regional chamber of accounts. Certainly, the subsidies of the new CHU have increased, but this may not be enough, “the inflation and interest rate assumptions having been revised too optimistically in 2021”, magistrates fear. According to them, it seems unlikely that the Nantes hospital can settle the bill on its own, either on its own funds or via loans.

High staff costs

The regional chamber of accounts also reports high personnel costswith an increase in salaries, linked to the Ségur de la Santé, but also to a desire to attract caregivers for the CHU which suffers from absenteeism and is struggling to recruit.

The Nantes University Hospital, for its part, highlights the results of its “attractiveness and loyalty plan” : “the number of staff entering is now higher than leaving and the absenteeism rate is falling to a level close to that observed in 2019”. The Nantes hospital also points out that “staff-related expenditure is determined by national revaluation decisions financed by the public authorities. Moreover, with regard to revenue, the CHU confirms the prudence of these forecasts noted by the Chamber, some not being included (in particular within the framework of the attractiveness effect of the center of excellence that the new CHU will constitute)”.

Too long hospitalizations

The average length of hospitalization of patients also remains too long, notes the regional chamber of accounts. “The health crisis, which lasted nearly three years, had an impact on this indicator with longer hospital stays”answers the CHU.

The Regional Chamber of Accounts also notes the importance of coordination with Nantes Métropole services for the “project success”, in particular to adapt the transport offer to the relocation of the CHU to the island of Nantes. She is also “essential to finalize the planned disposal plan around the Nord Laënnec hospital”.

430 million grants

The new CHU should open its doors in 2027 on the island of Nantes, with a capacity of 1,400 beds (up 17% compared to what was announced in 2013). The State has granted an extension of its subsidy of 175 million euros, and 23 million euros for the ARS, which brings the total amount of subsidies to the new Nantes University Hospital to 430 million. At the end of 2022, the Nantes hospital had 100 million euros in available cash.