Doctors and nurses at public hospitals in France have long complained about staff shortages and low wages. Now, healthcare staff and relatives are accusing Health Minister Catherine Vautrin and Education Minister Élisabeth Borne of allowing illegal and life-threatening working conditions for healthcare personnel and students, according to the indictment.
Threats and forced labor
The indictment describes, among other things, a system for "illegal" organized overtime work, threats, and "forced labor outside all regulations".
According to the complaint, the conditions are particularly difficult at three hospitals – one in Alsace in eastern France, one in Hérault in the southern part of the country, and one in Yvelines west of Paris – where a particularly alarming "suicide wave" has been observed.
A nurse took his life after reporting in several letters about what he described as an impossible workload and harassment from the personnel department. Two women who were nurse students at the same hospital have also taken their lives, according to the indictment.
Promises cooperation
Lawyer Christelle Mazza says that if the public healthcare system were a private company, the managers would have been held accountable.
A manager who carries out such a large and repeated reorganization as the one at public hospitals, with such consequences for working conditions, would have been convicted and the company closed.
An aide to the Education Minister says that the department is firmly committed to "fully cooperating" with the investigation.
In acute situations or if you are thinking of suicide, always call 112.
You can turn to:
Mind.se.
Suicide Zero – suicidezero.se.
Spes – the national association for suicide prevention and aftercare. spes.se.
BRIS – children's rights in society. bris.se.
Save the Children – raddabarnen.se. Also for parents.
Anonymous alcoholics – aa.se.
Jourhavande kompis – receives calls from children and young people up to 25 years old. jourhavandekompis.se.
Jourhavande medmänniska – can be reached at night on 08–702 16 80.
Friends – friends.se.
1177 – healthcare advice and information about the nearest psychiatric emergency department. 1177.se
National support line for mental health and suicide prevention – can be reached 24/7 on 90390.
