Operating block nurses at Lariboisière hospital face severe staffing shortages and deteriorating conditions, prompting calls for recognition and reform.
Lariboisière hospital faces nurse shortage
The operating block at the Lariboisière hospital is experiencing a severe shortage of State-certified operating block nurses (IBODE), with only five remaining, a drop of over 50% from the previous count of ten. This decline has led to increased workloads, frequent on-call duties, and reported fatigue among the remaining staff.Similar issues in other hospitals
The Collectif Inter-Blocs (CIB) highlights that the situation at Lariboisière is not isolated, with similar challenges reported at other hospitals such as Necker, Soissons, and Martigues. At Necker-Enfants Malades hospital, operating block nurses have recently accepted a strike exit protocol after weeks of negotiations.Staff departures and recruitment struggles
Since the pandemic, the Lariboisière hospital has faced a series of departures that have not been replaced, including the retirement of a supervisor and the departure of a logistics officer. The latest recruits are leaving due to difficult working conditions, despite the demanding nature of the surgeries performed at the hospital.Discussions with DGOS
The CIB recently met with representatives of the Direction générale de l'offre de soins (DGOS) to discuss the recognition of the IBODE specialty, working conditions, and the future of the profession. While the DGOS acknowledged the challenges, it cited financial constraints and the rejection of the 2027 Social Security Financing Bill (PLFSS) as barriers to addressing the issues.Demands for recognition and training
The CIB is demanding specific salary and status recognition for the IBODE specialty, arguing that their training, skills, and responsibilities are not adequately acknowledged. The collective also calls for an end to a system that allows non-specialized state-certified nurses to perform certain IBODE tasks, advocating instead for apprenticeship training to improve qualifications and address staffing shortages.Plans for increased mobilization
Faced with a lack of progress, the CIB is considering organizing a nationwide strike involving IBODEs, operating block nursing students, and state-certified nurses. The collective also plans to continue political efforts, including presenting a law and petition to the National Assembly for a parliamentary debate on the recognition of the specialty. A new meeting with the DGOS is scheduled in a month.
