Thionville Hospital: ‘full resumption’ of emergency services

On the way to normalization in the emergency department of Thionville Hospital (Moselle). Activity resumed on Monday in “full” form in a service that had to be allowed to confine itself to vital emergencies late last year. Almost all employees at that time were on sick leave. “From Monday, January 16, the Bel Air Hospital Thionville Emergency Department will reopen around the clock,” Metz Thionville Regional Hospital Center (CHR) said in a press release.

On December 31, CHR changed the way the emergency department operated “due to the numerous sick leaves filed by the medical team.” If the management of vital conditions remained “operational”, the rest of the patients were referred to other institutions.

According to union sources, 55 of the 59 nurses and nursing assistants were on sick leave at the time. “Teams are depleted, exhausted and unable to provide quality care,” a union spokesman told AFP.

“Fatigue” among caregivers

In a press release, CHR explained on Monday that “constructive” exchanges with teams have allowed for “a gradual return of staff.” “While the situation with the triple flu, Covid-19 and bronchiolitis situation has improved, we continue to urge the public to use emergency services wisely and prioritize using the primary care physician and/or call 15 before going to the hospital. emergency room,” however, emphasized the CHR.

On January 3, CHR Metz-Thionville announced the recruitment of six nurses and six nursing assistants, as well as expanding patient care areas. However, “hirings are planned but not made, they are just announcements, nothing concrete at the moment,” says Patricia Schneider, SUD-Santé’s representative at CHR.

According to her, only one nurse has been hired to date. “We are asking for reinforcements from January 1 to December 31, and not just time to get out of the crisis,” she insisted. Patricia Schneider emphasizes the “fatigue” of the medical staff. Those who resume work after sick leave will work again “under the same conditions” as before, she said.