In a visit to a nurse’s home in Cognocoli-Monticchi, Corsica on May 16, 2023, concerns were raised by independent nurses about proposed reforms to strengthen their position in the healthcare system. A meeting between their union representatives and the Health Insurance is scheduled for April 18 to discuss topics such as compensation, new skills, and prevention. With a focus on improving access to healthcare, especially amidst a shortage of doctors, the Minister of Health, Frédéric Valletoux, emphasized the need to expand and clarify the roles and competencies of nurses.
The Minister is navigating a delicate balance in a contentious environment. He emphasized that the goal is not to replace doctors but to acknowledge the roles and competencies of each healthcare professional. Tensions have risen recently with liberal doctors who are opposed to the government’s proposal for direct access to specialist doctors without consulting the primary care physician. These disagreements have led to the interruption of crucial negotiation talks between doctors and the Health Insurance.
Valletoux proposed several sensitive measures, including the creation of nursing consultations and granting nurses certain prescription rights. He argued that nurses should be able to manage chronic diseases, such as diabetes, and extend prescriptions. The government had previously announced 2023 as the year of “nurses,” signaling a transformation of the profession. However, delays have occurred in rewriting the decree defining nursing acts, which dates back twenty years, and restructuring the three-year nursing training program, now postponed to 2025.
Many in the nursing profession have called for renegotiating fees, as the rates for basic nursing procedures have not been adjusted for inflation in fifteen years. Valletoux assured that once new competencies are defined, negotiations with Health Insurance on financial terms can commence before the end of the year. The government aims to address these issues to support the vital role of nurses in the healthcare system and ensure their compensation is fair.
Overall, the visit to a nurse’s home in Corsica highlighted ongoing discussions and negotiations between healthcare professionals, union representatives, and the government to address challenges in the healthcare system. The focus is on recognizing the important contributions of nurses, expanding their competencies, and ensuring equitable compensation. As the healthcare landscape continues to evolve, collaboration and dialogue among stakeholders will be essential to build a stronger and more sustainable healthcare system that prioritizes patient care and access to quality services.
