The Bel-Air hospital in Thionville, France is facing a severe staffing crisis, with 55 out of 59 nurses or caregivers currently on sick leave. This has led to an emergency meeting between hospital staff and management to address the situation.
According to Dr. Philippe Alarcon, head of the emergency unit at the Metz-Thionville Regional Hospital, many of the proposals made by management are hopeful and could potentially resolve the crisis. However, it remains to be seen if and when the situation will be fully resolved.
In response to the crisis, concrete proposals were made that, in the long term, should improve the working conditions in the emergency ward. The list was presented on Tuesday evening by Dr. David Larivière, acting director general of the CHR Metz Thionville, within the Bel-Air hospital itself.
The changes include the creation of six nursing positions and six nursing assistant positions, as well as the introduction of a “flow manager” role to streamline the transfer of patients from emergency care to regular care services.
Another positive point is that the management is planning a “rapid response to better organise the premises and extend the areas for patient care”. The Thionville emergency room has 12 cubicles, one next to the other, and receives up to 100 patients a day.
Dr Larivière explains: “We find it easier to recruit care assistants than nursing professionals”. The proximity of Luxembourg does raise the question of how long it will take the Metz-Thionville Regional Hospital to attract the latter. Asked about this by RTL 5Minutes, Larivière replies that “we have regular recruitments, and we are a training centre that trains 500 health professionals every year”.
It remains to be seen how the “sick” staff of the Thionville emergency room will react to the news on Wednesday morning.
“I will see their perception and discuss adjustments”, says Alarcon. He remains confident that the emergency room will be back to normal soon. “I have a team of people who are professionals and who love their job and good care. They are ready to get back on track. I am convinced of that.”
He hopes for a return to normal “by the end of the week”.
