In order to improve French access to visual care, the government wants to allow orthoptists (who are not doctors) to prescribe glasses and contact lenses without going through the ophthalmologist.
The measure is included in the Social Security financing bill (PLFSS) for 2022, currently under consideration in the National Assembly.
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A measure opposed by the ophthalmos, whose unions have filed a strike notice from 22 to 31 October.
"The whole profession is opposed to this measure",
affirms Thierry Bour, president of the Snof, the main union, judging that the orthoptists are
"not sufficiently trained"
and worrying about a
"demedicalization of the follow-up of a part of population".
Especially since waiting times have been greatly reduced, he pleads.
According to the latest CSA survey carried out in September for the Snof, the time to obtain a periodic check-up was reduced to 49 days this year compared to 61 in 2020. Ditto for urgent requests in the event of the appearance of symptoms: 20 days, compared to 32 last year.
ENT doctors are also going to war against a similar amendment, this time allowing patients to have direct access to speech therapists.
"Contrary to the promises of the Minister of Health, we are taking a new step in the dismantling of medical skills,"
regrets the union of doctors SML.
"Far from being a corporatist withdrawal, we are opposed to impromptu and unexpected upheavals calling into question the quality of medical care",
confirms the CSMF.