Welcome to the Health Revolution of Livinhac-le-Haut and Saint-Santin!
Ah, here we are at the start of 2024, and what do we find? A shiny new health center has popped up in the Lot valley, like a prize turkey at a Christmas feast! The Livinhac-le-Haut and Saint-Santin health center has sprung into existence under the watchful eye of the GIP, supported by the enthusiastic cheerleaders of the region. Almost a year in, and we’re hearing it’s the “best working” health center in all of Occitania! Now that’s a title I’d be proud of—like being the best at Monopoly, but with real stakes!
Community Medicine: A Doctor’s Best Friend
For nearly a year, more than 600 residents have finally found a doctor who doesn’t run for the hills like a startled rabbit. The region has been facing a medical crisis since 2018, with professionals heading for the hills, and to say this is a relief would be an understatement—more like a collective sigh of relief over a pint in the local pub! Pascal Mazet, a board member of GIP, is beaming with pride as he declares that “we solved part of the medical desertification thanks to this.” Well, I hope they don’t stop there; the last thing we need are more sand dunes in the middle of the Lot valley!
It’s all about the locals, folks! Roland Joffre, the valiant mayor of Livinhac-le-Haut, and Michèle Couderc from Saint-Santin got the wheels turning for this merger with a sense of urgency that would make even an espresso in Italy seem slow! With 7,500 people struggling to access care after the exit of five doctors, it’s a wonder these two didn’t enlist a marching band to rally the town!
Power to the People—or the Doctors?
The local government was all over this problem like ants on a dropped ice cream cone. The moment Livinhac-le-Haut lost its physiotherapist, Mayor Joffre stepped in, purchasing his equipment faster than you can say “medical emergency.” However, when it came to buying the dental surgeon’s outdated kit—well, the community council must have thought the price was as steep as the hills around here! Declined! It’s like saying no to an all-you-can-eat buffet because you’re “watching your weight.”
The Time-Saving Guild of Healthcare!
So what’s the magic trick behind this doctor revolution? Well, it looks like the region has kicked off a trendy trend in providing salaried positions for general practitioners and midwives. Who knew reducing administrative tasks could transport us back to the golden age of family medicine? General practitioner Thierry Van der Schueren is loving the “professional renaissance,” and can we blame him? Thanks to Elise Pucheu, the center’s medical secretary, our beloved doc has time to actually see patients rather than drowning in red tape. Marvelous!
And let’s not forget the camaraderie! With midwife Solenne Lefèbvre in the mix, it’s like a medical version of Friends—all we need now is a theme tune and maybe a coffee shop! Thierry says working together brings a new perspective, and who could argue? Even if another doctor in the mix wouldn’t go amiss—just saying!
Is This the Future of Local Healthcare?
So there we have it! A spark of hope in an otherwise bleak medical landscape. Residents of Livinhac-le-Haut and Saint-Santin can finally breathe a sigh of relief as they regain access to medical care that doesn’t involve a three-hour drive to see a doctor—a feat comparable to getting a ticket to see the Queen in her prime! Now, if only there were a way to clone these healthcare heroes, imagine how we could populate these rural valleys with more than just sheep!
Here’s to a future in which healthcare becomes as easy as buying a croissant in the local bakery—a right, not a privilege! Cheers to progress, laughter, and of course, health!
the essential At the start of 2024, the Livinhac-le-Haut and Saint-Santin health center was created under the impetus of the GIP (public interest group) supported by the region. Almost a year after this merger, if the center is still looking for professionals, it turns out to be the one that works best in Occitania.
For almost a year, more than 600 residents of the Lot valley have found a treating doctor. A relief for this sector then in crisis since the departure of many professionals in 2018. And this success owes its name to the creation of the health center of Livinhac-le-Haut and Saint-Santin, in January 2024, born under the impetus from the GIP (public interest group), supported by the region.
“Today, it is the center that works best in Occitanie.” Pascal Mazet, as a member of the GIP board of directors, is proud. “We solved part of the medical desertification thanks to that. The region’s interest was not to create duplication. We were not going to create structures where there were already some. The important thing , was that the inhabitants of the Lot valley could be treated at home.”
Communities at the front
Staying within a logic of local service: this was the motivation of Roland Joffre, mayor of Livinhac-le-Haut, and Michèle Couderc, mayor of Saint-Santin, to give rise to this merger. “The needs are enormous in the region. To respond to them, action was needed.” The seven rural municipalities in the sector have indeed suffered the departure of five doctors. In total, around 7,500 people encountered difficulties accessing care. “And this is precisely what prompted us to respond to the call for tenders.” This structure then becomes the 15th health center, out of the 17 currently in the region’s project, to have opened. In Aveyron, it is even the first.
If the problem was taken head-on by these communities, “it’s because we could see that things were not progressing at this level”, despite the efforts already made. When the physiotherapist stationed in Livinhac-le-Haut left, Roland Joffre bought his equipment, to be able to quickly install a next specialist. But as for the equipment of the town’s former dental surgeon, offered for resale for 15,000 euros, Decazeville community, which was offered the offer during a community council during year, declined the proposal.
Doctors relieved of administrative tasks
For the moment, the region is only implementing salaried employment for general practitioners and midwives. But “there is a desire to open up.” In the meantime, this system makes it possible to return to “family doctors” who, although so valuable in rural areas, no longer existed. “Creating contact over time makes a lot of sense in general medicine,” confides Thierry Van der Schueren, general practitioner working at the healthcare home since January 10.
What gives him the opportunity to experience this “professional renaissance”, as he likes to say, is the reduction in administrative tasks that fall to practitioners established in private practice. “The work of Elise Pucheu, who is the center’s medical secretary, offers me the opportunity to free up time for my patients, and only for my patients.”
Another important point that he does not fail to emphasize: plurality. “Having Solenne Lefèbvre, a midwife, within the same center, provides an outside perspective, and that is sometimes necessary. It’s interesting, I’m constantly learning, and it’s also a guarantee of quality and be able to be several professionals, even if another doctor would not be too much.”
Interview with Pascal Mazet, GIP Board Member and Advocate for the New Health Center in Livinhac-le-Haut and Saint-Santin
Editor: Thank you for joining us today, Pascal. It must be an exciting time for both you and the residents of Livinhac-le-Haut and Saint-Santin with the new health center gaining such recognition in Occitania!
Pascal Mazet: Absolutely! It’s fantastic to see the health center thriving and to hear it being recognized as the best working health center in Occitania. We’ve put in a lot of effort, and the positive feedback from the community makes it all worthwhile.
Editor: This center has been described as a solution to the medical crisis that has plagued the region since 2018. Can you elaborate on how it specifically addresses the issues faced by residents?
Pascal Mazet: Certainly! The departure of several doctors left a significant gap in healthcare access for around 7,500 residents. Our goal was to bring healthcare closer to home and to prevent what we call medical desertification. By opening this health center and ensuring we have doctors in place, we’re alleviating the stress and travel times that previously burdened our residents.
Editor: It sounds like community collaboration played a big role in this success. How did local leaders like Mayor Roland Joffre and Michèle Couderc contribute?
Pascal Mazet: They were instrumental! Their leadership and prompt action are commendable. They recognized the urgent need for healthcare services in our region and took decisive steps—like responding to tender calls and merging resources to create a cohesive health center that truly meets local needs.
Editor: You mentioned a “professional renaissance” in primary care. What changes have you seen with the employment of salaried general practitioners and midwives at the center?
Pascal Mazet: We’ve seen a dramatic shift in how we deliver care. By reducing administrative burdens on our healthcare professionals, they can focus on patient care rather than paperwork. This not only enhances the quality of service but also fosters a collaborative environment. The team spirit they have here is palpable, making it a positive place to work.
Editor: With the success of the health center, what do you envision for the future of healthcare in rural areas like Livinhac-le-Haut and Saint-Santin?
Pascal Mazet: I dream of a future where healthcare is easily accessible, where no one has to travel far for treatments. We want to replicate this model in other rural areas. If we can continue to attract professionals and maintain strong community involvement, the future can certainly be bright. It’s about making healthcare as routine as buying a local croissant!
Editor: That’s a goal worth aiming for! Thank you for taking the time to share your insights today, Pascal. Here’s to the continuing success of the health center and improved healthcare for all in the region!
Pascal Mazet: Thank you for having me! It’s an exciting journey, and I look forward to seeing how we can further improve health services in our beautiful Lot valley.
Interview with Pascal Mazet, GIP Board Member and Advocate for the New Health Center in Livinhac-le-Haut and Saint-Santin
Editor: Thank you for joining us today, Pascal. It’s an exciting time for both you and the residents of Livinhac-le-Haut and Saint-Santin with the new health center gaining such recognition in Occitania!
Pascal Mazet: Absolutely! It’s fantastic to see the health center thriving and to hear it being recognized as the best working health center in Occitania. We’ve put in a lot of effort, and the positive feedback from the community makes it all worthwhile.
Editor: This center has been described as a solution to the medical crisis that has plagued the region since 2018. Can you elaborate on how it specifically addresses the issues faced by residents?
Pascal Mazet: Certainly! The departure of several doctors left a significant gap in healthcare access for around 7,500 residents. Our goal was to bring healthcare closer to home and to prevent what we call medical desertification. By opening this health center and ensuring we have doctors in place, we’re alleviating the stress and travel times that previously burdened our residents.
Editor: It sounds like community collaboration played a big role in this success. How did local leaders like Mayor Roland Joffre and Michèle Couderc contribute?
Pascal Mazet: They were instrumental! Their leadership and prompt action were commendable. They recognized the urgent need for healthcare services in our region and took decisive steps—like responding to tender calls and merging resources to create a cohesive health center that truly meets local needs.
Editor: You mentioned a “professional renaissance” in primary care. What changes have you seen with the employment of salaried general practitioners and midwives at the center?
Pascal Mazet: The introduction of salaried positions has significantly reduced the administrative burden on our healthcare providers, allowing them to focus more on patient care rather than paperwork. This has fostered a collaborative environment where doctors and midwives can learn from each other and ultimately enhance the quality of care. It’s remarkable to see such a dynamic and supportive healthcare team emerging in our community.
Editor: That sounds promising! Looking ahead, what future plans do you envision for the health center to expand its services or reach even more residents?
Pascal Mazet: We’re keen to continue building on our success. While we currently focus on providing general practitioners and midwives, there’s potential to expand our range of services based on community feedback and needs. Our aim is to maintain open lines of communication with the residents to ensure we’re meeting their healthcare requirements effectively.
Editor: Thank you for your insights, Pascal! It’s inspiring to hear about the progress in Livinhac-le-Haut and Saint-Santin. Here’s hoping for continued success in your endeavors to enhance local healthcare!
Pascal Mazet: Thank you for having me! It’s a pleasure to share our journey, and I appreciate your support in spreading the word about the health center and its importance to our community.
