France to tackle surgeons' crisis

French surgeons say their work is underpaid

The French government has promised to tackle a crisis over private surgeons' pay that has led many to threaten a brief "symbolic" exile to Britain.

Health minister Philippe Douste-Blazy unveiled a "rescue plan" designed to address the surgeons' grievances.

They say their fees have been frozen for 15 years, while their insurance premiums have increased up to 10-fold.

French surgeons' representatives warned that 3,000 would down scalpels for a week and visit the UK in late August.

Their demands have put pressure on the conservative government, which is trying to bring France's ballooning budget deficit under control.

Deficit spending

Mr Douste-Blazy recognised that the surgeons' demands needed to be tackled.

"I will implement a great rescue plan for surgery in France - which should have been done long ago," he told reporters in Paris.

The minister said he would increase the fees charged by private surgeons - adding that the size of the rise would be discussed with representatives.

Mr Douste-Blazy also said he would contact insurance companies, with a view to freezing premiums for three years.

French surgeons say their salaries are now so low that few medical students are choosing to specialise in surgery.

With many surgeons are coming up to retirement in the next few years, the average age for the profession is 55.

A number of French surgeons have relocated to Britain, where they can claim higher wages.

However, Mr Douste-Blazy is also trying to rein in spending in his department.

France's national health insurance is facing a deficit estimated at almost 13bn euros in 2004 (£8.5bn).