She denounces the dramatic daily life of caregivers and patients in South Aveyron: Jean-François Rousset receives Anaïs Werestchack at the National Assembly

Around ten deputies, the doctor shared her experience of touring France of replacements in general medicine. Repro ML

A young graduate, the doctor was alarmed by the dramatic situation of healthcare provision in rural areas. The deputy of the 3rd constituency of Aveyron invited her to the Assembly to share her experience.

At the end of 2024, Anaïs Werestchack had undertaken an unconventional tour of France, accompanied by her partner Brice Philippon, a physiotherapist. Aboard a converted van, the couple aimed to take stock of the medical deserts in France. Their stopover in South Aveyron had particularly marked the young doctor, who then wrote an open letter to the National Assembly in the hope of making the urgency of the situation heard.

A dramatic situation in light of her experience. She explains that a few years ago, six doctors covered this territory of 652 km², home to more than 6,000 inhabitants. When she arrived in the Saint-Affricain basin, she found herself alone, replacing a doctor who should already be retired, with a saturated schedule. Her daily life: requests for urgent consultations that pile up and the impossibility of accepting each patient.

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A rather sad picture that caught the attention of the deputy of the 3rd constituency of Aveyron, Jean-François Rousset. He then invited her to the National Assembly to share her experience. As part of a working group devoted to health, the South Aveyron parliamentarian stressed the need to better organize medical replacements.

“We must persevere”

Arguing for better connections between replacement doctors and those replaced, he elaborates.“Digital technology can facilitate this contact and thus direct young graduate doctors to the areas that need them most. We must also, alongside local authorities, create the conditions for replacement. This includes creating favorable working conditions, whether it be housing, coordination between professionals, the creation of a directory of specialist doctors, etc.”

Common sense measures that are slow to emerge but which, according to the MP, should be able to benefit from a boost. “Replacement is also a transitional stage in the curriculum of young graduates that allows them to discover certain areas, such as South Aveyron, to make them want to settle there. The 4th year of general medicine internship voted in 2023, applicable from 2026, will fully participate in this dynamic by irrigating our areas with more than 3,000 junior doctors who will then be able to settle there.”

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