Christian Estrosi who presents the outlines of a brand new hospital costing more than 500 million euros? It made them cough at the CGT CHU in Nice.
“Certainly, we had already heard of a possible project on the 202. But nothing as affirmative as what appeared in the columns of Nice-Matin. Learning regarding such an important decision through the press is a lack of respect”indicates the secretary general Stéphane Gauberti, following reading the statements of the mayor of Nice, also president of the supervisory board of the CHU.
“Why go on the 202?”asks the union representative, who recognizes: “there may be a need for care in this sector, we are not opposed to this idea. But it is not possible for the only public health centers to be located at the ends of Nice: to the east and to the “west! In the middle, there will be nothing left! We have already lost St-Roch as a city hospital which would have been very useful during Covid…”
With this project costing more than 500 million euros, the L’Archet hospital, the Antoine-Lacassagne center and the Cimiez hospital would be brought together on the Var plain, at the same address.
A grouping that strains the CGT: “We have already defended a project to install a mother-child center in Cimiez. We are going to continue in this direction. On site we have the structure, the framework. This center is necessary because today mothers are separated from their children during of a complication they go to L’Archet and the little one is to Lenval”.
Maintaining the Cimiez establishment is a priority for the union. “Selling off land and allowing developers to build luxury homes is not a solution. For us, health is priceless.”
Another argument which sadly makes the hospital worker smile: “Among the arguments put forward, there is the seismicity of Archet. Um, I believe that the entire coastal area of the commune is not spared, right?”
Many questions persist
The partnership dimension, at the same time, remains a key issue for the care pathway, recalls Stéphane Gauberti. “It makes sense to work on an offer with the Lacassagne cancer center, obviously.”
But questions still remain unanswered for the representative. “What Christian Estrosi does not say is whether his project will make it possible to open more beds. He talks regarding demographic development, but then? If it is only a question of transfers, you have to tell us !”
Another problem and not the least for the health professional: what regarding the accessibility of the site located on Boulevard du Mercantour, in place of the current Adoma Nicéa residence (ex-Sonacotra)?
Beyond the traffic jams at the busiest times of the day, Stéphane Gauberti has difficulty seeing geriatric patients traveling to the site by public transport. “The people who visit them don’t necessarily have a vehicle either…”
In short, a lot of questions for the union, which does not believe in the announced deadlines. “Such a pharaonic hospital built in 2031-2032? You can add ten years to what was announced. You know, we haven’t even finished Pasteur 2 (1) yet so…”
1. Delivery of the new building is scheduled for February 2025. As a reminder, phase 1 was delivered in 2015, three years following the announced date. Fire, poor workmanship, soil problems… The construction site had to be interrupted on numerous occasions, causing delays.
