In its method and in its realization, the new Chomerac health center could certainly serve as an example for other Ardèche territories.
“Without this nursing home, there would only be one general practitioner in Chomérac. But today, we can congratulate ourselves on having four.” In a nutshell, François Arsac, Mayor of Chomérac and President of the Privas center Ardèche agglomeration community, summed up the challenge of many Ardèche municipalities for whom the medical desert is a reality.
An attractive health project
But to get to the end of this project, “we had to do things in order”, explains the mayor. Therefore, it is not a question of constructing a building before a real health project has been elaborated. “It was the doctors who launched this health project and had it validated by the ARS (regional health agency).” The impetus started allowed the integration of other professionals from the Priva basin… Which did not stop shaking the teeth! Doctors Jugnet and Maréchal thus left their Ollières-sur-Eyrieux and Privas , much to the chagrin of the elected officials of these municipalities. “We must be clear: they are liberal doctors, they are free to settle wherever they want. I did not take them by the tie to bring them here, François Arsac replies. If they came it is because they find the best conditions to practice”.
A varied healthcare offer
And, in fact, the building and design of the nursing home were designed by practitioners themselves. The result is, therefore, a nursing home with 21 offices for medical and paramedical professionals (730 mtwo), a pharmacy (300 mtwo) and a house for nannies (120 mtwo). In addition to the four general practitioners, there are two physiotherapists, seven liberal nurses, a midwife, two orthopaedists; a dentist, a psychiatrist, a pediatrician, a specialist in physical medicine… Five specialists (a urologist, two visceral and digestive surgeons, an orthopedic surgeon and a gastroenterologist) from the Privas hospital center are present once a week for advanced consultations . There are also paramedical professions such as osteopath, Chinese doctor, dietitian, hypnosis therapist, specialist educator and sophrologist.
A full healthcare offer that allows professionals to network, or even a little more… In fact, the health center also has accommodation, with three bedrooms, which can accommodate medicine, pharmacy, physio or even medical students. Nursing. “Two of the general practitioners are practice supervisors and permanently welcome interns, Francois Arsac explains. This can make it easier for them to come. It’s a doctor’s idea.”
“An Example in Method and Realization”
During the inauguration, on Friday June 24, the nursing home was praised. The senator, Matthieu Darnaud, praised “an example both in method and in execution. This is an ambitious and necessary project for the area that will sustainably strengthen the attractiveness of the city. We understand that health professionals have taken the risk to come here!”
Also financially, the project seems to be well organized. The total cost is estimated at 2.80 million euros. It has been financed for an amount of 640,000 euros by the State, 200,000 euros by the Autonomous Community and 150,000 euros by the Department. The rest was financed by the municipality of Chomérac with its own funds, but in the end it will not cost the taxpayers much since the premises are leased to the Town Hall, the owner, who has entrusted the management to Habitat Ardèche. Therefore, the rents will amortize the initial investment year after year.
There is no doubt that in the current context of medical desertification, many elected officials in the Ardèche must envy the Chomerac nursing home!
