In Hayange (Moselle),
It’s a service like no other. Already, it must be found in the small hospital in Hayange, in Moselle. After the reception, please go up the stairs (slippery), turn immediately left then cross the courtyard. The arrival is near. This is door 3, that of “external consultations”.
Welcome to “retired doctors”, as Doctor Gilles Arous affectionately describes the place. He can afford it as a founding member of this “unique in France” service. “We started in July 2019, we will soon celebrate four years”, smiles the former general practitioner installed in the neighboring town of Knutange “for thirty-nine and a half years”.
“We had had a meeting some time before with the Regional Health Agency (ARS) where we were warned of the disaster to come. He was going to miss a lot of doctors in the area, ”continues the almost sixty-something (69 years old). “So we had this idea with my colleague Bernard Renauld and Doctor Khalifé proposed this hospital. “Is a place then in full loss of speed, “which was to become an Ehpad”.
The idea in question? In existing premises, set up a service where retired doctors can continue to practice, according to their goodwill in terms of schedules. “Originally, there were four of us and it was agreed that we each work for a week. That is to say five days in a row from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. then from 1:15 p.m. to 5 p.m., even if we often go beyond the evening,” explains Gilles Arous. “Today, our system is still working and there are now nine of us consulting, some having chosen to work in the morning or afternoon. There are always two doctors from Monday to Friday,”
“They have a lot of merit”
As a result, it is never difficult to get an appointment. Patients seen in the waiting room confirm this. Why did you come here today? “My GP was on vacation. I went to Doctolib and I was offered here”, replies Joey, satisfied with his time with Dr Serge Scarpa. Like most patients, he did not know that his interlocutor was retired or that the service was special. “But I find it positive, to see that some still want to treat people when they could stop. »
“They have a great merit to come. They are good people,” adds Salma, who came for the first time with her feverish 6-year-old daughter. “No one could take her before tonight but she is not well…” At the outpatient clinics of Hayange hospital, there is almost always a slot available. “It’s been two to three that it’s been impossible to have an appointment with my doctor. There, as soon as I called, it was good”, confirms Marianne. “It’s appreciable, especially since everything is very good here. In addition, the secretaries are very nice. »
And visibly motivated because they also have to juggle between languages as the patient base is so diverse. “We take everyone”, summarizes Gilles Arous. “This is not always the case elsewhere because many doctors in the valley do not take the time to call a translator. But we do and frankly, who would have thought a few years ago that I would treat Pashtun Afghans? It’s amazing ! »
“We have two types of patients, many foreigners, but also those with major pathologies because they take time to be received. We are an emergency solution”, summarizes Bernard Renauld, without hiding his pride. “We have recreated a system that becomes sustainable by serving the population and revitalizing a hospital. In addition, we are now well regarded by our colleagues, which was not the case at the beginning when they accused us of competing with them. »
All in, Gilles Arous admits, continuing to exercise a profession that fascinates them. “Of course we also did it for us and to flatter our ego! I did not see myself stopping suddenly after so many years. It’s enjoyable to have created something and to have, in a way, given people hope. The challenge was exciting and the rest because we still have many projects. »
Like that, in addition to teleconsultation, to attract… active doctors. A sweet dream for now. “Each year I send a letter to the order of Moselle to say that we are recruiting. We are even ready to offer any schedule, even a quarter-time! But I only had one call for the moment and the salary was not enough for him… It is sure that for those who want to make money, this is not the right place. But there is everything to work well and it’s exciting because it changes all the time. »
Retirement “completely fulfilled”
He does not see himself stopping anytime soon in a retirement that he considers “completely fulfilled”. Bernard Renauld is less categorical. In a few weeks, at his 69th birthday, he plans to hang up slowly. “It’s time for me to rest… but if I’m offered a little mission from time to time, why not! “, he laughs, saying he is nevertheless worried about his territory and those where doctors are already lacking or will soon be lacking.
And if the fight against medical deserts was regulated precisely thanks to this type of structure as in Hayange? “Pensioners can’t be the future,” cuts Gilles Arous before returning to his car. Unstoppable.