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Health check

Who gets called for a mammogram in France? Is it free?

Scans are recommended every other year for women aged between 50 and 74

Health alert in France over common cold medicines

It is not worth ‘risking a stroke for a blocked nose’, the head of the medicines safety agency has said

France’s 2024 budget plans for healthcare: What could change for you?

More prescription charges, pill-by-pill dispensing, and new rules on transport reimbursements are all proposed

practical

Recap: practical changes in France include luggage, dentists, fraud

11 new French services, policies and events that may affect your everyday life

Early - and good - start to mushroom season in France

Favourable weather conditions have put the fun in fungi this year but pickers are still warned to be vigilant

France plans 100 medical buses to improve rural access to healthcare

The buses have everything onboard needed to offer the same service as a typical doctor’s surgery

France begins rolling out free health check-ups for key age groups

The checks will start this October and are part of a new ‘prevention’ campaign

Concern as breast cancer checks fall in France. How do I get screened?

In 2022, only 44.9% of eligible women in France went for checks, down from 50.6% the previous year

Do non-EU six-month visitors have to undergo a medical in France?

And, if so, what happens if you fail?

‘Prevention will ease healthcare crisis in France’, says minister

Exercise, health check-ups and public-private cooperation will help France catch up with northern Europe on prevention

Are retirees asked to undergo a medical when moving to France?

We look at who the French Office for Integration and Immigration requires to take a medical and what happens if problems are found

What is changing in relation to glasses prescriptions in France

People will no longer necessarily need to see an ophthalmologist if they meet certain conditions. We explain

France to offer free medical check-ups at age 25, 45 and 65

The appointments will be tailored to each life stage and are part of the new ‘prevention era’, the health minister has said

Colorectal cancer tests now available free at home in France

People aged 50-74 can order the tests online for home delivery every two years. The cancer causes 17,000 deaths per year but has a 90% survival rate when caught early

Coronavirus: France starts vaccine trials

France's first trials of a potential Covid-19 vaccine start this month at the Institut Pasteur in Paris. Connexion spoke to its scientific director Christophe d’Enfert.

Covid-19 research is ‘badly hit’ by French DNA testing ban

Moves to end France’s ban on private DNA tests have failed in parliament, leading to claims that MPs have hamstrung research into Covid-19.

Coronavirus: do plant-based supplements reduce immunity?

Some plant-based supplements people are taking in the hope of boosting immunity from Covid-19 may have the opposite effect.

New Covid-19 cluster in Toulouse now 'under control'

16 new cases of Covid-19 have been detected near Toulouse (Haute-Garonne, Occitanie) following a gathering of 52 people, one of whom had the virus. All cases are now "under control".

Post-Covid-19: the future of health services in France

An ‘urgent’ two-month consultation into the future of health services in France in the aftermath of the coronavirus pandemic has been launched.

Covid-19: Free health check for vulnerable patients

€46 cost of 'assessment and vigilance' consultation will be covered by French health insurance system

How to get tested for Coronavirus

The official state health emergency has been extended until July 10, plus when and how to get tested for Coronavirus.

Trained French dogs successfully sniff out coronavirus

Tests conducted with trained German Shepherds at a veterinary school in Maisons-Alfort (Val-de-Marne) show a 95% success rate in sniffing out the coronavirus that causes Covid-19.

Will France introduce Covid-19 ‘immunity passports’?

As confinement starts to lift from this Monday, some politicians in France are calling for the creation of an “immunity passport” for people cured of the virus. We consider how and if this controversial idea would work.

Key questions as France aims for 700,000 Covid tests

The French government has said it is aiming for the country to do 700,000 Covid-19 tests per week from May 11, the start date for deconfinement. We answer key questions, including test length, cost, and reliability.

France's free two-hour health check is open to all

The check-up is carried out at one of around 85 centres d’examens de santé around the country

Covid-19 in France: Why new cases despite confinement?

There have been more than 112,606 cases of Covid-19 in France - including 785 in the past 24 hours - despite the country being under confinement since March 17, leading to questions about why. We explain.

France aiming for 200,000 Covid-19 tests per week

France is doing around 150,000 tests per week for Covid-19 and is aiming to reach 200,000 soon, the health minister has said, with an estimated 10% of the population thought to already be immune to the virus.

Covid-19: Medicines to avoid, after French man dies

Recommendations have been put out as to medicines to avoid that may worsen Covid-19 symptoms, after a 28-year-old man who had been taking regular ibuprofen died from acute respiratory distress.

France plans mass Covid-19 blood test post-confinement

The French government is planning to provide blood tests for a large percentage of the population after the confinement period ends, to properly count the number of people infected with Covid-19.

French researcher posts successful Covid-19 drug trial

A renowned research professor in France has reported successful results from a new treatment for Covid-19, with early tests suggesting it can stop the virus from being contagious in just six days.

French lack of hygiene puts public at risk of Covid-19

French people could be at high risk of viral infections “in the context of coronavirus (Covid-19)” due to a lack of good hygiene practices, a new poll has suggested.

France ‘activates’ hospitals to prepare for Covid-19

France is to “activate” 70 extra hospitals in preparation for a potential spread of coronavirus Covid-19 - amid news that the virus has already caused tourism in the country to drop by 30-40%.

France preps coronavirus test as Chinese ‘cheat’ found

A new test for the new Chinese coronavirus will soon be available in France, the health minister has said, as the virus spreads in Asia, and a woman who “cheated” checks to arrive in France is identified.

‘Life-changing’ blood test identifies bipolar disorder

A French medical company has developed a blood test to diagnose bipolar disorder which it says will be life-changing for sufferers.

France may start giving out medicines in exact amounts

Medicines in France should be given out by the unit to avoid waste, it has been proposed, as Parliament considers and approves the idea for certain medicines by 2022.

French woman dies after eating poisonous wild mushroom

One woman has died and two people have been hospitalised in western France after accidentally eating poisonous, wild mushrooms; prompting health agencies to warn people of the dangers of foraging.

French study: Diagnosing yourself online often ‘wrong’

People who “diagnose themselves” through online research before going to the doctor in France are wrong about their condition 91% of the time, a new study has shown.

Are there really any benefits of video GPs?

Your article Thousands to benefit from video GP sessions (September edition) left me perplexed.

Report: Opticians to aid France eye doctor shortage

Opticians in France could soon be permitted to prescribe glasses and contact lenses independently, after an official watchdog found the public is experiencing significant delays for ophthalmologist appointments.

Pink October reminds women of breast cancer check ups

Women aged 50 and over in France are being reminded that they are entitled to regular breast check-ups to avoid cancer, in this month’s 25th annual “Pink October” awareness campaign.

Rentrée 2018: Health checks and educational changes

Today’s Rentrée - back to school in France - is a good opportunity to check your child’s health, and ensure you are aware of the educational changes set to take place this year, parents are reminded.

Home HIV test gives a result in 10 minutes

An Alsace laboratory has launched a self-test HIV kit that costs just €10 at a pharmacy, a third of the cost of many other tests.

My operation in France: Thyroid removal

The inside story of readers who have had operations in France... this is the fourth in the series of operations, written by Gillian Harvey

My operation in France: Hysterectomy

The inside story of readers who have had operations in France – and how they found the health service, by Gillian Harvey

My operation in France: Broken wrist

The inside story of readers who have had operations in France – and how they found the health service, by Gillian Harvey

Video doctor appointments to be reimbursed in France

Would you visit your doctor via video? From September, “telemedicine” - or remote consultations via video in specially-equipped cabins - will be reimbursed in France at the same rate as a normal appointment.

Free dental checks in France extended to age 24

Young people in France are now entitled to one free dental health check every three years from age 6 to 24.

Measles epidemic

Young adults and children are most affected