France Launches Ambitious Healthcare Network Despite skepticism from Rural Doctors
Paris, France – Prime Minister Gabriel Attal has declared teh rapid expansion of “France Health” houses – multi-professional healthcare structures – an “absolute priority,” aiming for 5,000 locations nationwide by 2027.The initiative seeks to address healthcare access challenges, especially in underserved areas, building upon the existing network of 2,500 houses as of December 2023, according to data from the Ministry of Labor, Health, Solidarity and Families. However, the plan is meeting wiht resistance from some healthcare professionals who question its effectiveness and potential impact on patient care.
The government’s ambition acknowledges the strain on healthcare workers, noting they are often “tired by a system that requires a lot of resilience.” Martial Jardel believes the success hinges on concrete government action to realise the vision.
jean-christophe Nogrette, assistant secretary of MG France and a doctor practicing in Haute-Vienne, expressed strong skepticism, suggesting the “France Health” houses risk becoming mere “guidance counters,” akin to “France Service” administrative centers, offering a “Degraded service” with limited value. ”multidisciplinary health homes already fulfill this role of coordination and proximity. It is not worth making an extra system,” Nogrette stated.
He further raised concerns about the employment model within these structures, warning that salaried doctors, with guaranteed incomes, “could be limited to 10 patients per day, which would be insufficient in a context of shortage of general practitioners.” Nogrette argues that salaried positions are ill-suited to the current crisis in general medicine,which demands long-term patient monitoring.
Nogrette emphasized the need for genuine collaborative care, particularly in aging regions like Limousin, stating, “In an aging territory like Limousin, we must meet the specific needs of patients, such as those with serious illnesses in remote areas. Real coordination is necesary to release time for generalists. Some care can be taken care of by nurses, without putting patients in danger. It is necessary to establish very precise protocols in the long term.”
The initiative is slated to be included in the state and social security budget projects for 2026. The ”France Health” house model was initially codified in the public health code in 2007.
