The published decree, issued under the law aimed at strengthening the safety of healthcare professionals sets out the procedures allowing professional bodies and Regional Unions of Health Professionals (URPS) to file a complaint on behalf of a healthcare professional who has experienced violence, with their consent.
The measure aims to remove barriers to filing complaints and encourage the reporting of incidents that are still too often underreported. It provides a concrete mechanism to better support healthcare professionals who experience violence in the course of their work.
The decree follows extensive consultations conducted by the Government with professional bodies, Regional Unions of Health Professionals (URPS), the National Union of Health Professionals (UNPS), employers’ federations and the Ministry of Justice to establish a system that is balanced, operational and adapted to realities on the ground.
For professions with a professional regulatory body, healthcare professionals who have experienced violence may choose to contact either their professional body or the territorially competent Regional Union of Health Professionals (URPS), which can file a complaint on their behalf.
For professions without a professional regulatory body — namely speech therapists and orthoptists — the relevant URPS will be responsible for exercising this right.
The State, together with representatives of healthcare professions that do not have a professional regulatory body or URPS, is currently consulting stakeholders to identify an appropriate procedure for these professions and their representatives, within the framework of a dedicated legal text.
The new measure forms part of the Government’s broader strategy to combat all forms of violence against healthcare professionals and ensure that incidents of aggression are properly reported and addressed.
Violence against healthcare professionals is unacceptable. No healthcare worker should fear for their safety while carrying out their duties. With this decree, we are providing a concrete response to remove barriers to filing complaints and better support victims. This is a message of support for all healthcare professionals, but also a message of resolve: every assault must be reported and prosecuted.
Stéphanie Rist, Minister of Health, Families, Autonomy and Persons with Disabilities
