Seniors’ Care & Patient Rights: Updates from Castelsarrasin Moissac Hospital
- The Castelsarrasin-Moissac Intercommunal Hospital Center (CHICM) continues to expand its commitment to patient care and rights with new initiatives focused on senior health and improved access to medical...
- The CDU plays a vital role in fostering dialogue between patients and the hospital administration.
- Recently, the CDU saw the renewal of its user representatives, solidifying their dedication to serving patients and their families.
The Castelsarrasin-Moissac Intercommunal Hospital Center (CHICM) continues to expand its commitment to patient care and rights with new initiatives focused on senior health and improved access to medical services. These efforts include bolstering patient advocacy through its Users’ Commission (CDU) and launching a solidarity consultation for individuals over 70 without a regular physician.
The CDU plays a vital role in fostering dialogue between patients and the hospital administration. Its core function is to ensure patient rights are upheld and to contribute to ongoing improvements in the quality of care, reception, and safety within the hospital. The commission reviews complaints, offers recommendations, and proposes actions to enhance the patient experience.
Recently, the CDU saw the renewal of its user representatives, solidifying their dedication to serving patients and their families. The renewed representatives are: Daniel Botta, incumbent president of the CDU and president of the association of users and friends of the hospital; Serge Delos, a member of ADAPEI; Monique Cousteils, a member of users and friends of the hospital (substitute); and Dominique Mirouze, a member of the French Association of Diabetics Occitanie (substitute). Marie-France Brouillet, a former health executive, and Camille Lopitaux, departmental delegate of France Parkinson 82, also participate as representatives of the Supervisory Board.
User representatives are identifiable at the entrance to each hospital department. Patients can also leave messages for them via a dedicated mailbox in the reception hall or by emailing bottadan@wanadoo.fr.
Solidarity Consultation for Seniors
Recognizing the need for increased support for older adults, the CHICM, in collaboration with the CPTS Quercy Gascogne, has established a local solidarity consultation specifically for individuals aged 70 and over who lack a primary care physician. This initiative, which began on , aims to address a critical gap in healthcare access for this population.
The consultation takes place weekly on Wednesday mornings and is provided by Doctor Brignol, a physician at the SMR (medical and rehabilitation care) facility. Access to the consultation requires prior registration with the CPTS Quercy Gascogne, which manages requests and directs patients to the appropriate physician. The CPTS Quercy Gascogne can be reached at .
This new service is particularly relevant given the increasing challenges faced by older adults in maintaining consistent access to primary care. Without a regular physician, individuals may experience delays in diagnosis, fragmented care, and difficulty managing chronic conditions.
Enhanced Rehabilitation and Laboratory Services
Beyond the solidarity consultation, the CHICM has also implemented changes to its rehabilitation and laboratory services to further enhance patient care. Since , the Castelsarrasin SMR has been offering limited day hospital access – a maximum of one patient per day, for a half-day session from Monday to Friday – to individuals meeting specific criteria. These patients must have previously undergone orthopedic surgery with rehabilitation at the SMR, be capable of participating in 3.5 hours of therapy with a physiotherapist, occupational therapist, or osteopath, and not require care alone or from a distance. This focused approach allows the medical team to provide specialized care that may not be readily available in standard outpatient settings.
The CHICM analysis laboratory also offers convenient access to testing services. Assessments are accepted from Monday to Friday between and without the need for an appointment.
These combined initiatives demonstrate the CHICM’s ongoing commitment to addressing the evolving healthcare needs of the community, particularly those of its senior population. By strengthening patient advocacy, expanding access to primary care, and optimizing specialized services, the hospital aims to improve the overall quality of care and enhance the well-being of its patients.
The hospital also continues to invest in its infrastructure, having recently inaugurated a new scanner in late 2025, which has reduced wait times for appointments. Plans are also underway to acquire an IRM (magnetic resonance imaging) machine to further enhance diagnostic capabilities, addressing the current need for residents of western Tarn-et-Garonne to travel to Montauban or Agen for this type of examination.
the hospital has acquired a new vehicle for the SMUR (emergency medical service), improving response times. The emergency department remains open from 8 a.m. To 8 p.m., with regulation provided by the 15 emergency number.
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