gynecologists support striking midwives
Launched on September 27, the national strike movement midwives continue. A day of mobilization is expected this Thursday, October 7. On this occasion, the obstetrician-gynecologists of the Toulouse University Hospital announced “support their demands“.
Denouncing a lack of recognition, the maïeuticiennes mainly demand a salary increase as well as creation of permanent positions to guarantee better patient care.
“Midwives are overwhelmed”
At the national level, midwives have received support from the French National College of Gynecologists and Obstetricians (CNGOF). Member of the Board of Directors of CNGOF, Jean Thévenot is an obstetrician gynecologist in Toulouse and president of the Regional Council of the Order of Physicians of Occitanie. Contacted by The Independent Opinion, he believes that “the anger of the maïeuticiennes is largely justified”. “This movement of revolt was predictable. Midwives are overwhelmed, underpaid”, he denounces. And add “they are overwhelmed and their work is not sufficiently recognized”.
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According to Jean Thévenot, “this problem translates more generally to a dysfunction in the perinatal sector”. Dysfunctions which, according to him, “are not taken into account by the public authorities”. The former vice-president of the CNGOF explains: “we had already issued recommendations to them in 2018. However, no progress has been made either in terms of recruitment or in terms of professional standards.”
According to him, the movement started by midwives is only the beginning and “should soon be followed by other professions”. In Occitania, obstetrician gynecologists from the Toulouse, Montpellier and Nîmes CHUs are also making a success of the movement.
Disturbances in maternity hospitals
While the midwives’ strike movement has already triggered the temporary closure of the Union clinic, other disruptions are to be expected in maternity hospitals in the pink city. This is the case of Paul de Viguier hospital, to Toulouse University Hospital. Consultations, follow-up ultrasounds and cesarean sections are already scheduled.
Thursday, October 7, all scheduled activities for doctors and midwives will even be canceled. Nevertheless, the emergency room and continuity of care for patients at psychosocial risk will be maintained. At the maternity ward of the Croix-du-Sud clinic, in which Dr Jean Thévenot works, “a minimum service will be insured “for this day of mobilization.