Trois sessions de réflexion ont réuni les volontaires. Midi Libre – Laurie Baud
Projet collectif qui vise à réduire les inégalités de santé, faciliter le parcours de soins et améliorer la prévention sur le territoire, le contrat local de santé (CLS) fait appel, depuis 2023, à un comité citoyen pour répondre au mieux aux besoins des habitants en matière de santé.
Chance brought them together in this adventure. Jonathan Pissier, 45, is a geologist in Millau. Sébastien Spataro, 46, lives in Saint-Sernin-sur-Rance. Suffering from multiple sclerosis, he does not work but would like to be able to get treatment close to home.
Both joined the citizens' committee initiated in 2023 by the Grands Causses Regional Natural Park (PNR). The objective ? To give residents a voice on their health needs. “We did not want to remain between health professionals and elected officials, explains Emmanuelle Gazel, the mayor of Millau and vice-president of the PNR. We had to involve the health beneficiaries themselves in the reflection.”
Access to care, mental health and prevention
In 2022, the Occitanie Regional Health Agency (ARS) and the communities of communes of South Aveyron entrusted the local health contract to the Grands Causses Regional Natural Park. In 2023, the first citizens' committee was created through a draw from the electoral lists. Out of 35 people drawn at random, 14 responded positively and were able to join the focus groups. In 2024, 21 volunteers continued the reflection initiated by their predecessors during three working sessions led by Lucie Bousquet, coordinator.
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Lucie Bousquet (right) coordinates the sessions of the citizens' committees. DR – PNR des Grands Causses
This Wednesday, February 5, two members of the 2023 committee and two of the 2024 committee met to present the progress of their work. At the heart of the reflection, prevention, access to care, medical-social support but also food, the digital divide (inequalities in access to the internet, editor's note), mental health and the quality of air and water in the territory.
Concretely…
Several concrete actions emerged from the reflection. “The medical solidarity carpooling should be deployed within a fortnight and the Carrétou was tested at the end of last year, lists Lucie Bousquet. Regular rounds will be organized in 2025.”A traveling vehicle in the villages of the Grands Causses Regional Natural Park, the Carrétou de la santé is part of a reverse mobility approach. It travels and takes prevention, screening and care professionals as close as possible to the residents.
The volunteers also suggested the appointment of a health referent per municipality. Their goal will not be to treat but to direct residents to institutions that can meet their needs. The treatment of psychological health is also at the heart of the discussion. This is reflected in the implementation of mental health first aid training. Some of these actions still need to be coordinated before being implemented.
“It reconciles with politics”
For their part, the “ambassadors” are delighted with the experience. “We now have an idea of the reality of the healthcare system in the region. It's not necessarily reassuring, but at least we know what we're going to have to work on and we know that concrete actions are already being put in place”, describes Sylvie Arles, Atsem in Millau and member of the 2024 citizens' committee. “We all worked together and it was enriching at all levels. In a way, it reconciles us with politics to see that our opinion is listened to and taken into account”, concludes Sébastien Spataro.