Opening of France Santé in Saint-Barthélemy
On 25 June, the director of the ARS for Guadeloupe, Saint Martin and Saint Barthélemy, Philippe Luccioni-Michaux, launched the France Santé scheme at the Irénée de Bruyn Hospital.
The France Santé network aims to make it easier to see a GP near your home and to improve access to local healthcare. This scheme will provide additional GP consultation slots from 3 August. A doctor will be available every day from Monday to Friday, from 8.00 am to 1.30 pm, and will be able to offer appointments within 48 hours for urgent cases. The aim is also to relieve pressure on hospital A&E departments by referring patients who can be treated in the community back to local practices. Eight France Santé centres have already been identified in Guadeloupe and the Northern Islands. The ARS has indicated that it will continue its efforts to persuade healthcare professionals to strengthen the network for the benefit of the population.
