Doctor

Fact check: Does France offer world’s most generous health reimbursement?

It comes after a government spokesperson made the claim this week

French town opens medical centre for those without a GP

The centre takes patients with or without appointments, amid the growing problem of 'medical deserts'

Access to physiotherapists, nurses, and opticians now easier in France

The rules will be trialled for five years

news

How does your area of France fare for delay to see a doctor?

Some departments are in particular trouble when it comes to waiting times for specialists

CHART: How long does it take to get to hospital in rural France?

We also look at the time needed to get to a pharmacy and other health services when compared with averages for urban areas

Wait to see health specialists grows in France: here is what to expect

Now an average of 10 days to see a GP as delays increase across the board

Doctors: New €60 ‘long consultation’ for over-80s proposed in France

Other specialists may also see their consultation fees increase

€30 doctor fees, less drugs: how healthcare could change in France

Doctors to be paid more but in return asked to prescribe fewer treatments

Which rural areas of France are hardest hit by lack of doctors?

We also look at the countryside departments best served - and the situation for access to health specialists

Macron announces plans for allowing aid for sick to die in France

Family members may be allowed to administer injections under plans, but doctors have hit back

Half of health specialists charge above set state rates in France

Gynaecologists, ophthalmologists and anaesthetists were often found to charge more in a study by a leading consumer association

Doctolib to launch AI medical assistant to free up doctors in France

Artificial Intelligence will be used during appointments to take notes and filter information

Plans to raise GP doctor fees to €30 a visit in France

The fee change has been extended as an ‘olive branch’ to GPs after months of negotiations

What is the hold-up in dealing with medicine shortages in France?

Delays have led to a ‘lack of a roadmap’ making it ‘difficult to make progress’ after years of shortages, says an industry expert

Medicines in France will cost patients more from spring

The ‘franchise médicale’ is not reimbursed, and critics say it will penalise vulnerable people

How to see a doctor if you cannot sign up with GP in France

You can still get treatment but will not be reimbursed the same as with a médecin traitant

How can I see a doctor at my local French pharmacy?

Doctors are not present on-site but online appointments can be made

Doctors’ fees go up in France – and could rise again

Many doctors are still unsatisfied with changes

Doctors pause their strike in France: Will consultation fees go up?

The unions say their action is ‘suspended’ only, as they agree to reopen negotiations on consultation fees next week

French village strives to attract doctor with video pitch

Commune fears joining the growing number of medical deserts

Doctors’ strike in France: ‘Why €25 per appointment is not enough’

The strike comes amid wider national action also affecting travel and schools

What to do if you need doctor during strikes starting Friday in France

Many GPs and other self-employed doctors will not be working and options to find assistance elsewhere may be limited

French doctors' strike, speed limits: 5 articles you may have missed

We also look at how to avoid second-hand car scams, a gas bill deadline and tips to keep yourself safe in heavy rain when at home or in your car

Long wait for dermatologist appointments in France

Almost one in two people have given up seeking treatment and many face mental health issues due to skin conditions

Call for an unlimited GP doctors’ strike in France from October 13

The date ties in with planned cross-industry protest action. Some cancellation of doctor appointments is expected in an on-going argument over consultation fees

French pharmacies now able to prescribe antibiotics…but GPs sceptical

A doctors’ union has denounced the change intended to help GPs with the burden of prescribing antibiotics for simple complaints

Free health check-up for 45-50 year olds in France: how will it work?

This will be the first age group to benefit from this new preventative initiative

Can a French doctor refuse to take on a new patient?

Doctors can refuse to treat patients for personal or professional reasons, but not for discriminatory ones

Health chief opens door to second new rise in doctor fees in France

The cost of seeing your GP will go up to €26.50 this autumn but now this is being referred to as only ‘stage one.’ Unions want it to be at least €30

How do I complain about bad healthcare treatment in France?

Learn about the various avenues available for making an official complaint for treatment at a French hospital

Right-to-die activist postpones death, continues campaign

Connexion caught up with right-to-die activist Jacqueline Jencquel, who we spoke to in 2018 and January 2020, just as a French erotic film came out focusing on the same subject. Liv Rowland spoke to her about her new book and to the director and star of the film.

Remote monitoring of patients in France moves into the mainstream

The costs of monitoring patients from distance are now being covered by France’s health insurance scheme, Assurance maladie

Map: Where in France are emergency call staff going on strike?

Rolling strikes begin on Monday (July 3) and nearly 50 call centres are affected

How seeing a GP (or rather not) for some issues is changing in France

The legislation aims to make it easier for patients to access certain health professionals without having to get a referral from their doctor first

Doctors under fire over number of sick days they grant French workers

GPs that hand out too many illness days could face a fine of up €9,000

France is set to switch to digital prescriptions. How will it work?

The new system is part of a wider plan to digitise healthcare records and remove the risks and inconveniences associated with paper prescriptions

France’s medical deserts ‘pushing more GPs to turn away new patients’

Nearly four-in-five independent GPs in France said there were not enough fellow doctors in their area

Map: Where in France is there most violence against healthcare staff?

Violence and aggression towards healthcare workers rose by 23% last year, a new report shows

French villages fight doctor shortage with medical bus

The medical bus visits one of eight participating communes and is aimed at fighting the area’s problem of ‘medical deserts’

How a new law is causing problems at France’s under-pressure hospitals

Hospitals have been forced to close beds and services after a new law capped the salary of locum staff

France lets healthcare staff without Covid jab return to work

But, after more than 18 months away, questions have been raised about how many will want to come back

A decade before France has more doctors, admits health minister

François Braun said he would look to free doctors of ‘absurd’ administrative tasks to ease the situation

The cost of seeing a doctor in France is set to increase

The hike is expected to cost the French state around €600 million a year

Meet France’s oldest working doctor, 101, recognised for his longevity

Dr Christian Chenay began his career in 1946. He closed his surgery earlier this year but continues seeing some of his oldest patients

Send independent doctors to parts of France with shortage, says report

A consumer group has attacked the freedom of doctors to choose where they practise

Can I stay registered to my GP in the UK if I am a resident in France?

We also look at which medical cards French residents should use when travelling

Don’t use diabetic drug for weight loss, warns French health agency

The drug has hit headlines after videos on social media platform TikTok hailed it as helping weight loss

France considers charging patients for no-shows at the doctor

Doctors in France say they lose two hours per week due to patients failing to show up for appointments without cancelling ahead of time

More GP strikes expected in France after proposed fee rise is rejected

Unions say the proposal of an increase from €25 to €26.50 for a standard consultation is ‘not acceptable’ after months of negotiations

French health authority issues warning over cold medication drug

A common cold drug found in well-known medications can, in very rare cases, cause brain issues and heart problems, the ANSM has said

How does France’s doctor shortage compare to other countries?

It is well-publicised as a fraught time for the healthcare sector but we look at how France’s medical situation compares to other European nations

How could ‘no-show’ fees for GP appointments work in France?

A senator has put forward the idea as a way to cut back on the 27 million appointments which are missed each year and thus help ease strain on doctors

Why GPs in France are on strike and will doctor ‘no-shows’ be charged?

Negotiations with France’s national health body the Assurance maladie have also broken down

Seven questions about ‘medical deserts’ in France

The term is becoming more common amid GP complaints of having to carry out too many ‘useless tasks’. We answer key questions and look at what the government is doing to help

Minister calls for end to ‘useless medical certificates’ in France

He plans to introduce 15 measures to free up GPs’ time in the context of a lack of healthcare appointments

Patients fight to reinstate unvaccinated GP in southwest France

The doctor was banned from practising after not ‘giving proof of Covid vaccination status’ but the local mayor says there is fault on both sides

How can I find out which parts of France are lacking doctors?

So-called ‘medical deserts’ are a big issue in France, but certain areas have better access to healthcare than others

French healthcare workers reject Macron’s plans to reform the system

Unions say the proposals do not go far enough and are calling for urgent improvements to patient-staff ratios

How to find a doctor out of hours in France

There are plenty of options in France to find healthcare as and when you need it if your doctor is not available

Latest on French GP strike and what to do if you need to see a doctor

GPs are striking until January 2, calling for a doubling of their standard consultation fee among other points. The move has been condemned by the government

‘Asking for HRT in France made me feel like a stroppy child’

Writer Gillian Harvey talks to readers about their experiences as research suggests the number of women taking hormone replacement therapy in France has dropped 80% over 20 years

Today's GP and laboratory strikes in France: What to expect

Doctors and lab analysts plan to strike today and Friday against budget cuts and working conditions. We recap the plans and how patients will be impacted

French GP strike: What to do if you fall ill and need a doctor

GPs across France are set to strike on December 1 and 2 but if you fall ill there are still several ways in which you can access medical care

How to find a doctor in France who speaks good English

If your French language skills are limited (or you just prefer to converse on medical issues in your native language) these resources can help

Can I ask a foreign GP for a French sports certificate?

Joining a sports club in France will often require asking a doctor for a medical certificate. We look at whether this can be done in your home country

Explainer: Paying to see a doctor or health specialist in France

The medical system in France can seem quite different to people coming here from the UK and US, for example – here are some useful pointers to help you understand

French mayors’ ideas to solve rural doctor shortages 'taken seriously'

Rural mayors have presented the health minister with four solutions to healthcare ‘deserts’ using consultation results

Lack of doctors in France ‘means rural residents are dying younger’

Access to GPs is difficult in the countryside though this varies from one local area to another. Access to specialists and hospitals is also a concern

French health site Doctolib to ban unregulated wellbeing practitioners

The booking platform said that it will focus ‘exclusively on practitioners with references from health authorities’, with naturopaths and hypnotherapists banned

French pharmacists offer medical consultations in new trial

Fifty pharmacies in Brittany are now able to advise patients who have 13 common symptoms, in an effort to compensate for a lack of doctors

France trials triaging emergency 15 calls to assess if doctor attends

Less serious cases are to be seen by district nurses or urged to go to their GP - we look at why the emergency service is changing

French woman who posed as fake GP now found posing as fake teacher

Samantha Avril is now under psychiatric care and criminal investigation after she was discovered to be working as a teacher, and had worked as a GP, without any qualifications

France could extend 100% coverage of GP appointments to end of summer

The measure was brought in during the pandemic as téléconsultations soared in popularity

Can I get medication in the UK for a six-month trip to France?

Many Britons with second homes in France are now applying for visas to stay for up to six months. We look at the rules for taking medication across for that amount of time

Explainer: Why having a designated GP in France saves you money

We also outline how you can change GP if you so wish