According to a report by our colleagues at the Midi Libre, an ambulance company based in Saint-Nazaire, in the Gard department, has criticised the way in which the rota for hospital discharges from Bagnols-sur-Cèze was drawn up. It considers this situation to be unfair.
Hexagone, a company recently established in the Bagnols-sur-Cèze area and headed by Yassin Daif, has responded to the way in which the hospital’s transport rota is organised. "Normally, we’re all supposed to be called out in turn," explains the paramedic. "In Bagnols, the control centre dispatches calls based on available resources. That leaves no chance for smaller companies."
This rota system applies to patients’ discharge from hospital. Either the patients choose their own ambulance company, or the departmental Sagu co-ordination centre calls a company, in accordance with this rota. The rota was decided at the Sagu general meeting in 2010. "Back then, everyone agreed", explains Loïc Cazzulo, chairman of the platform.
Approved by the ARS
Yassin Daif asked the hospital to draw up a rota for this shift. "The hospital welcomed us; they told us that it wasn’t a problem for them." But as for the Sagu, the president explains that he cannot change everything right now.
"We decided that the companies with the most vehicles are the ones called upon most often. This rota was approved by the Regional Health Agency and audited by an expert in court," he continues.
"If nothing is done, we are prepared to block access to the hospital," adds Yassin Daif, who wants the situation to change quickly.