Written by Samedi Valpic nr 7 – october 18 –
Marielle Clivaz and Dov Levy –
“ Medical care on the Haut-Plateau ” is a subject that has already been the subject of much ink and conversation. Whether it’s “too much” or “too little”, it’s not always the right balance for everyone. A few basic clarifications were therefore needed to provide objective information on the system.
Marielle Clivaz, Crans-Montana town councillor in charge of Health, Social Affairs and Training, and Dov Levy, head of First Responders, gave us a straightforward overview of the current situation.
We have 10 GPs practicing on the Haut-Plateau (9 full-time equivalent), some of whom work in the 3 intercommunal medical centers (Lens, Crans and Montana). Theoretically sufficient (the Confederation recommends 8.5 in the case of the Haut-Plateau), while practice licenses are allocated by the Canton. This is for the administrative side.
Indeed, the authorities are struggling to find solutions to a physician shortage that has been worsening for years, due to a number of converging factors. A growing population, whose average age is rising, generating an increase in demand for care, with doctors nearing retirement who will have to be replaced. An explosive crossing of the curves.
But Crans-Montana’s year-round population of 15,500 leaps to 60,000 residents in a single ray of sunshine during the high season. The Communes are calling for additional resources (stationed ambulances, for example, during peak periods).
And yet, beyond these resource concerns, the care offer is still very much present and organized.
From a boo-boo to a life-threatening emergency, Marielle Clivaz described in detail the process that everyone needs to know and apply. From a loved one’s assessment of distress, to a simple visit to a pharmacy, to contacting your doctor, to calling the new 0848 200 300 number for non-vital emergencies, to calling 144 for serious emergencies, the entire care chain is ready to help, including at weekends, from on-call duty managed at Sierre District level (Crans-Montana, Sierre, Anniviers), to hospital emergencies operated through the Organisation Cantonale Valaisanne des Secours (OCVS = 144).
Dov Levy described the role of the First Responders, mobilized by 144 dispatchers, whose job it is to provide initial response within minutes of medical distress. A veritable emergency aid commando, there are 18 of them on the Haut-Plateau, ready 24/7 to intervene immediately and join the medical team en route. They even have a special feature on the Haut-Plateau: they each have a defibrillator to save precious minutes in case of need.
Many questions were put to our 2 speakers, from the low value of the “tarmed” point in Valais, which is considered less of an incentive for doctors to set up practice than in other cantons, to the use of the 2 (private) operating theatres, to questions about the high proportion of foreign doctors or the geographical choice of Intercommunal Medical Centers, no subject was left unanswered, even if some questions are still open.
All in all, a session of information and exchange in the Valpic line, which informs, without veils, in a spirit of dialogue and cooperation.
We’ll be coming back to these subjects in the Valpic context, as our members, friends and guests have all expressed a desire to take an even greater interest in this whole health environment that concerns us and our loved ones so much.
A detailed presentation is available in the “Valpic Saturdays” section of the Members’ Area.