The Minister of Health at the bedside of the Bonnet Hospital restructuring project in Fréjus

Patients in the emergency department of Bonnet Hospital in Fréjus would not have expected to see such a large delegation at their bedside this Friday morning.

The procession, led by the Minister of Health and Access to Healthcare, Yannick Neuder (1), passed through various departments - including the emergency room and the intensive care unit - in order to see firsthand the urgency of restructuring the establishment's healthcare provision in this area.

"These visits are always important, to see the importance of the projects," notes the minister, a cardiologist by profession.

Three architectural projects still in the running

At the heart of the ministerial visit is the emergency room restructuring project, which has been in the pipeline since 2018. To date, three architectural projects are still in the running as part of the call for tenders.

Antoine Pellicani and Nicolas Catroux, from Sagem, who are assisting the project management team, revealed them to the delegation, but for the time being, confidentiality remains in place for the general public. "We hope to be able to reveal them to the public within a few weeks ," said Frédérique Masquelier, the mayor of Saint-Raphaël.

While Sagem representatives praised "three very high-quality projects, including differentiated entrances, a system of care, more treatment boxes... Everything needed to successfully streamline these services and welcome more patients in good conditions."

First stone "in a few months"

Yannick Neuder is delighted with "the progress of the project, the first stone of which should be laid in a few months. The emergency room is a major gateway to the hospital, and as such can also be a source of disorganization. It's a very fine project, costing more than 30 million euros, established in consultation with the medical teams."

Another important element: this work will improve the attractiveness of the establishment in the eyes of healthcare staff.

The minister also took the opportunity to place this project in a more global context "of strengthening the territorial network, here in the eastern Var as well as throughout France. This will also involve training more staff, more beds" , and taking into account "a very specific seasonal problem here".

Development of a land reserve

For their part, Frédéric Masquelier and Senator Françoise Dumont optimistically point out that "the financing of the operation is consolidated, the minister confirmed this to us." The start of work on this restructuring "which will resolve both capacity and organizational problems" is hoped for "in 2027, with delivery expected for 2030."

Yannick Neuder was made aware by the caregivers on site, and by the hospital director, Frédéric Limouzy, of another crucial and complementary issue: that of the development of a land reserve, currently empty, equivalent to half a floor of the building, without which the establishment could lose beds.

Once his visit to Fréjus was over, the minister continued his trip to the Var region via Draguignan in the late morning, then via Sanary and Ollioules in the early afternoon, to discuss healthcare provision.

1. Also present were Jean-Louis Masson, President of the Departmental Council, Françoise Dumont, Senator, Julie Lechanteux, Member of Parliament, Frédéric Masquelier, President of Esterel Côte d'Azur Agglomeration, of the Hospital Supervisory Board and Mayor of Saint-Raphaël, and many other local elected officials.