Health

Healthcare: What's new in France in 2025

Certain specialist tariffs will rise in July 2025, impacting insurance premiums and healthcare access

State of French healthcare: key points of new official report

Findings included high patient satisfaction but still a too-high risk of infection in hospitals

French top-up insurance to increase by 6% in 2025

Ageing population and reduced state coverage cited as some of reasons behind hike

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Is there financial help to purchase a mobility scooter in France?

Some UK disability benefits remain for Britons living across the Channel

Must I telephone first before going to hospital emergency centre in France?

The health ministry wants to reduce the strain on hospital services

Epidemic alerts raised in France: see how your area is affected

Bronchiolitis is bad nationwide while flu indicators are increasing in the north and east

GPs and specialists: List of new fees starting December 2024 in France

Fees will rise for consultations, firstly later this month, and again in July 2025

French firm succeeds in drone defibrillators deliveries

Life-saving equipment can reach victims within minutes, faster than ambulances

Is long-term illness care in France poised to change?

Long-term care costs make up around two-thirds of social security spending

Weight loss drug Wegovy may soon be reimbursed in France

Subject to Health Ministry approval the drug could be reimbursed under certain conditions

Is appointment information automatically added to online French health space?

Documents can be found online for healthcare professionals and patients to see

‘Medicines to avoid in 2025’ list published by French medical review

Of 106 medicines, 88 are still available to buy in France

Hospital transport change: French taxi driver protests cause 490km of traffic jams

Blockades are underway as drivers fear redundancies and bankruptcies

French MPs propose quotas for public toilets in towns

‘This is a public health issue for people with illnesses such as Crohn's or diabetes, for the elderly and for children’

French senate votes for increase in taxes on tobacco, gambling and soda

A packet of cigarettes will cost on average €12.70 next year if propositions are included in final budget

Dozens fall ill in French train station as man pours toxic liquid on floor

The man spilled the liquid and then ‘calmly boarded a train’, police say

Marathon effort boosts cancer support in France

Runners join Nice-Cannes Marathon to fund English-language cancer support services in Alpes-Maritimes

Child health booklets in France will be updated to include risks of screen time

Report by experts recommends banning screens for children under the age of three

Many French hospitals trial fingertip test for heart disease

Test takes 15 minutes and can detect early signs of the disease

French study tests psychedelics in alcoholism therapy

A groundbreaking experiment explores how psilocybin can be used to combat depressive symptoms in alcohol recovery

Strepsils, Olbas Oil, TCP: Find French equivalents to common remedies

Moving to France means navigating pharmacies and hunting down alternatives to treat everyday ailments

French carmarker provides solution for noisy roads

Engineers utilise vehicle noise-cancelling data to identify road noise and reduce environmental impact

Moving to France: how does a retiree apply for a health card?

The card is linked to your social security number, which you must apply for first

EU citizens have difficulty obtaining French digital health cards

The paperwork required to sign up for the service is available to residency card holders and French citizens but not to other EU residents of France

Alert over mushroom picking in France after death and poisonings

Several poisonous mushrooms can easily be mistaken for safe varieties, experts warn

France steps up HPV vaccination campaign in schools

Health authority aims for 80% vaccination rate among children by 2030 to combat HPV-related cancers

French hospitals’ revolutionary exoskeleton enables wheelchair-bound patients to walk

The technology improves their health and independence - and may soon be available for use in homes

Tiger mosquitoes are still biting in France in November - wlll it end soon?

The insect can spread disease and is found in many areas of the country

Photos: Hi-tech medical concept van to serve rural France unveiled

New vehicle aims to provide medical services in areas lacking doctors, equipped with advanced diagnostic tools

Why some cancer rates are rising more in women than men in France

Recent studies show a spike in lung and pancreatic cancers, attributed to smoking and lifestyle choices

Why have thousands of hospital beds closed in France?

A new report shows that the number of full hospitalisation beds has dropped by more than 10% in 10 years

Concern over Mercury levels in canned tuna sold in France

Organisations are calling on limits to be much stricter. French brand ‘Petit Navire’ had mercury levels 13 times higher than fresh fish limits

Are foreign nursing qualifications recognised in France?

Brexit changed rules for Britons relocating to France

Tiger mosquitoes continue to spread at abnormally high levels in France

Mild autumn temperatures have enabled the insects to proliferate, amid record dengue cases

Impact on appointments: French hospital staff are on strike today

Four major unions call for strike in response to 2025 budget

How do I ask for free French flu voucher if I did not receive one?

The 2024/2025 vaccination season has begun

American patient story causing organ donations to plummet in France

The story of a brain dead man waking up on the operating table is causing refusal rates to soar

Record dengue cases recorded in France - how to prevent the spread

Health authorities have warned that cases of native and imported dengue are at record levels

GRAPH: Variation in flu vaccination rates in France in last 16 years

Figures have fallen for three successive years, including for over 65s

French researchers give new hope in treating eating disorders

A groundbreaking theory links neurotransmitter deficits to compulsive behaviours, potentially revolutionising treatment

Why is there such a row in France over who owns Doliprane?

News of a potential sale of the manufacturer has reignited debates over drug shortages and ‘drug sovereignty’

Allergy tracking app to ease shopping difficulties created by French students

Innovative app by students helps allergy sufferers scan products and share tips, enhancing supermarket experiences.

What is being done to tackle France’s shortage of dermatologists?

The issue is part of a nationwide problem of medical deserts and a shortage of new doctors

I had cataract surgery in France

After her vision deteriorated in one eye, Finistère resident Ann Edwards, 80, had to go into hospital for an cataract operation. Here, she talks about the procedure and post-op check-ups

Explained: what is the official France Identité app and can foreigners use it?

Health cards are to soon be included, the French prime minister recently announced

Covid and flu vaccination campaign starts today in France - who is invited?

Millions of people are eligible for free vaccines

French-made hospital respirator revolutionises global healthcare

Cost-effective, open-source machine was developed during the Covid crisis and now aids patients worldwide

New rules for sick-leave notes introduced in France

The government is to allow employers to use independent doctors to verify employee sick leave claims

Alert over wild mushrooms in France: 400 cases of intoxication since July

Pickers advised to avoid relying on smartphone apps to identify mushroom types due to risk of error

Weight loss drug Wegovy to be sold on prescription in France

The somewhat controversial drug will be available on prescription, but not reimbursed

Carte Vitale: Plans for digital version to be integrated with French ID app

Health cards should be available on smartphones across country in early 2025, reports leading French media

Ditch diets, stay active and self-care: Enjoy life the French way

Columnist Cynthia Spillman explains the secret of healthy living in France

What is a French attestation des droits? Is it necessary to have one?

Schools and nurseries often ask parents to provide this document

When, where, how: 2024-2025 flu vaccinations in France

The new campaign begins on October 15. Here are the details and how to get a jab

Dried sausages recalled across France over salmonella fears

Contaminated products were sold in several major French supermarket chains including Super U and Carrefour

Could reimbursement rates for medical consultations be lowered in France?

Cost-cutting measure is reported to be under review. Any reduction is likely to see insurance costs rise

Expert casts doubt on claims bites from French 'violin' spider killed two

'No deaths from a spider bite' have ever been recorded in France

Drug use in France surges to record high

A recent study shows significant rise in consumption across the nation, with cocaine use most notably on the up

Half of women in France not aware of breast cancer risk factors

A new study ahead of awareness month Pink October revealed ‘concerning results’ says an anti-cancer group

Visualise: Data on workers’ sick-leave days in France

Sick-leave is costing more and more each year, with authorities keen to reduce strain on healthcare budget

Change to prescription rules in France to prevent addiction

Two kinds of medicines will soon need a ‘secure’ prescription

Is medicinal cannabis legal in France and is CBD available in high-street shops?

There are ongoing trials assessing the benefits of cannabis for certain serious illnesses

EU gives go-ahead for France to ban disposable vapes

A law can now be passed to ban single-use e-cigarettes, called ‘puffs’ by young people, following health and environmental concerns

Covid-19 hospitalisation cases on rise in France

All age groups are affected but particularly the over 65s

Medicine shortages in France: heavy penalties for 11 laboratories

‘No class of drugs was spared’ from the severe shortages recorded last year, health authorities say

Is France set to ban smoking on restaurant and cafe terraces?

A new European proposal suggests a ban on smoking and vaping in outdoor and semi-outdoor public areas

French minister proposes tightening health aid to ‘irregular’ foreigners

New Interior Minister wants to restrict cover although plans have faced criticism

Expired medicine still ‘90% effective’ says new French study

An association said the results pointed to ‘a real environmental, economic and health scandal’, but doctors have warned that people should not take expired medicines