This indefinite strike, which began on July 3, is not very visible, because the striking ARMs are, like many caregivers, “generally assigned by the administration, and therefore to their position”without loss of salary, explains to AFP Yann Rouet, co-president of Afarm (French Association of Medical Regulation Assistants).
The strike did not “no impact on the quality of response for the French”he says.
While in the heart of summer, many hospitals have to restrict access to emergencies for lack of caregivers, and many general practitioners are absent, the authorities enjoin “to call 15” as a first resort. For ARMs, “this necessarily generates additional activity”of the order “by 30%, like last summer”especially in tourist areas, explains Mr. Rouet.
“In the field, it’s complicated, we have the same time to manage a call”, “not always a solution to provide” to callers. Officers are “tired, exhausted, some are clearly exhausted”continues this ARM from Côtes d’Armor.
“We claim an acknowledgment of the current hardship“ i.e. a monthly bonus of 100 euros, and details of the new grids promised “during the passage of the Rist law”When “the profession has been recognized as a health profession“, adds Mr. Rouet.
Afarm also asks for hiringwhereas according to her it lacks “environ 800 ARM” in France to meet the needs and that the government intends to generalize the Care Access Service (SAS) by the end of the year.
This service – which aims to direct certain patients from the 15th to care in city medicine, when their state of health does not justify recourse to the emergency room – must be generalized by the end of the year.
While the Minister of Health goes Monday followingnoon to the bedside of emergencies and Samu, in Toulouse, “we would like him to talk regarding the profession”said Mr. Rouet who is waiting “a strong gesture”.
Each year, the Samu receive a total of some 30 million calls. According to the Court of Auditors, this number increased by 22% between 2014 and 2021.
