French GPs, some of whom went on strike over low consultation fees at the start of December, should not continue strikes over the holiday period- a time when viruses are flourishing- Health Minister François Braun told Journal du Dimanche on Sunday.
The “Doctors for Tomorrow” collective has called on GPs to strike again from 26 December in a “hard and unlimited” way if their demands to raise consultation rates to €25 to €50 are not met. The average consultation fee for a private doctor in the EU is €46.
Regarding the threat of continued strikes, Braun said, “Without questioning the right to strike, I call for responsibility because the period between Christmas and New Year is always complicated, even more so this year because of the triple epidemic” – referring to influenza, COVID-19 and bronchiolitis.
For now, however, the “discussion is open and continues”, he added.
Asked about mask-wearing being mandatory again, the minister said that this would depend on the overall vaccination rate and how the epidemiological situation of the three diseases evolves.
“It is a satisfaction to see an increase in the number of vaccinations in the last ten days, and I expect the efforts to continue. So, we are right to trust the French,” said Braun.
“On the COVID-19 front, the progression of the epidemic has slowed down in recent days. Similarly, for the bronchiolitis epidemic. Conversely, the flu is progressing strongly,” he added. (Clara Bauer-Babef | EURACTIV.fr)
Source: euractiv.com
