Moment of calm and away from media glances, this Friday at the end of the morning. In her office at the Town Hall, while a pouring rain hits the windows of the town hall, Nathalie Appéré receives Prime Minister Jean Castex for a moment of face-to-face exchange, without cameras or prying ears. For thirty minutes, in a relaxed atmosphere, the mayor and the head of government sweep away a few subjects that have not found their place in an already busy morning with the signing of the integrated security contract (CSI) and the interministerial committee in the city (CIV). An opportunity for the city councilor of Rennes to bring to the attention of the Prime Minister certain hot issues, in particular that of the reconstruction of the University Hospital Center (CHU).
The Rennes healthcare establishment has been engaged for several months in a colossal project providing for the modernization and expansion of the Pontchaillou site, in return for the closure of the South Hospital. During this exchange, it is therefore a question of big money.
Extension through the Ségur
Originally, the hospital’s reconstruction budget was estimated at around € 600 million for delivery in 2029. But in this type of project, it is often difficult to stick to forecasts. As already revealed to the Telegram and the Monthly of Rennes the general manager of the CHU Véronique Anatole-Touzet, in the program “600 seconds cash”, the construction index weighs. An increase of the order of 3 to 4% is therefore foreseeable, explained the boss of the hospital. While ensuring nonetheless keep the schedule. An achievement in view of the Covid crisis.
But if we add the soaring price of raw materials, it is actually a bigger check to be expected at the end of the work. Not to mention the permanent resizing of the project, which must adapt to changing needs. An increase in the number of post-emergency beds is mentioned in particular. In total, according to our information, we must therefore now count on an envelope of € 760 million, or more than 25% increase.
At this stage, the State has undertaken to finance “only” € 87 million. But in view of the new budget lines opened through the Ségur de la santé, the Rennes University Hospital and its president of the supervisory board Nathalie Appéré hope to obtain an extension. Arbitrations must be rendered by the Minister of Health in the coming weeks. The Prime Minister’s visit to Rennes this Friday was therefore timely …
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