In the midst of a controversy over the use of consulting firms during the health crisis, a report from the Court of Auditors published on Monday looks back on the role of Public Health France (SPF).
On the front line during the pandemic, the agency was an essential player, in particular for the management of strategic stocks (masks, gloves, gowns) that it constituted at the request of the State.
She was able to demonstrate “
responsiveness
” and “
organizational flexibility
” to meet the urgent needs linked to Covid, indicates the Court.
But it is necessary to "
better define its strategy
" and above all to "
clarify the expectations
" of the Ministry of Health, according to this report.
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Since its creation in 2016, the expertise of SPF has been “
underused
” by the ministry, which often favors other bodies, in particular the High Council for Public Health, indicates the Court.
In addition, the creation of several ad hoc structures during the pandemic contributed
to "reducing
" the agency's own expertise.
The pandemic has highlighted “
weaknesses in surveillance systems
”.
A point partly settled with the implementation of a tool such as Sidep (collecting screening data) and current projects aimed in particular at better identification of viruses and their variants.
On the other hand, the health reserve – making it possible to mobilize additional health professionals – has been overwhelmed by the scale of the crisis and must be “
redesigned from an interministerial perspective
”.
It will also be necessary to ensure the control of the wage bill and the modernization of information systems, which remain a “
major challenge
”, recommends the Court.