Health · Healthcare & Policy · 2 hrs ago
France deploys 3,000 junior doctors to areas short of GPs
France is deploying about 3,000 junior doctors from Monday, 2 November, to help areas with too few general practitioners.
These doctors are completing a new, final year of medical training and will hold patient consultations independently, with a supervising doctor available if they need help.
In Diemeringen, in the Bas-Rhin region, patients can wait four to six weeks for a routine appointment, and some travel nearly an hour to reach a doctor.
The new doctor there could open more appointment slots and shorten waits for patients.
The trainees will be paid 2,400 euros gross a month by their university hospitals, plus possible bonuses, and 80% chose to work in areas short of doctors.
Another 500 junior doctors are expected to start in May, and some may later choose to settle in the communities where they trained.
France is deploying about 3,000 junior general practitioners, particularly in areas with shortages of doctors.
The doctors will conduct patient consultations independently during their final year of study.
A supervising doctor will remain available if a junior doctor has questions or doubts.
The deployment is intended to expand care and reduce waiting times in underserved areas.
Another 500 junior doctors are due to begin work in May.
- Who
- About 3,000 junior general practitioners, including Pierre Gitz.
- What
- They are carrying out their final year of study in the field and consulting patients independently.
- When
- From Monday, 2 November 2026.
- Where
- Across France, especially in areas short of general practitioners.
- Why
- To expand access to care and help address shortages of general practitioners.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
About 3,000 junior general practitioners began working across France.
Another 500 junior doctors are due to begin work.
- Deployment
- About 3,000 junior doctors
- Additional doctors
- 500 due from May
- Monthly pay
- 2,400 euros gross, plus various bonuses
- Rural placements
- 80% of junior doctors chose to work in areas short of doctors
2 sources
What people are saying
For a consultation that is not urgent, there is a waiting time of about four to six weeks.
That will allow us to expand the supply of care a little. With the possibility of following new patients and opening more consultation slots, it allows us to have slightly shorter waiting times.
Consultations take place autonomously; the training supervisor is not necessarily next to me or on site, but is always reachable if I have the slightest doubt or question.