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Over the course of 2024, the Maison de la Santé welcomed 5,928 consultations. The growing number of consultations demonstrates the interest shown in this facility by the people of Saint-Barth.
The Maison de la Santé is a victim of its own success. Opening in November 2023, the Maison de la Santé aims to improve medical care for the island's residents by offering consultations with specialists. After its first year of operation, the results of the Elvina center on Saint-Jean are more than positive. The Maison de la Santé recorded a total of 5,928 consultations for the year 2024. The Maison de la Santé has made it possible to avoid many trips to neighboring islands," says Carole Nardin, a doctor of pharmacy and the facility's health coordinator. It has helped reduce healthcare costs while improving access to care. "Angiology, cardiology and dermatology, as well as occupational medicine, are the areas most popular with Saint-Barth patients. "Thanks to the presence of two occupational physicians, the people of Saint-Barth have turned more attention to their physical and mental well-being," notes Dr. Nardin. November saw the highest number of patients, with a monthly record of 942 consultations, thanks in particular to the arrival of dermatologist Dr. Bregeon. In contrast, August was the quietest month, with 110 consultations, due to the leave of many doctors.
Comprehensive support
The popularity of this facility is also reflected in the number of daily calls received by the two agents. Every day, Carole Nardin and Victoria Gandoulf receive between 50 and 100 calls. I chose not to open the online appointment booking service, in order to guide patients properly," says Carole Nardin. If we don't know who to call, we call the Maison de la Santé! "Thanks to the two agents, patients can benefit from a follow-up after each consultation, and thus take advantage of a comprehensive care pathway. But with such a small team, the heavy workload weighs heavily on the staff, who are lobbying to increase their numbers. Housing practitioners, especially for long periods, remains one of the major challenges facing the Maison de la Santé team. It does, however, have an agreement with the Collectivité to offer accommodation at reduced prices. Flight delays and the cost of transport are obviously another major obstacle. Despite all these obstacles, the two agents have succeeded in diversifying the range of specialists on offer in Saint-Barth. Throughout the year, the medical secretariat sent out almost 1,000 e-mails to attract a variety of specialists to the island. Gynecologists, neurologists, urologists, psychiatrists and psychomotricians were able to practice in the five consultation cubicles offered by the establishment. Over the year 2024, the average occupancy rate of the consultation rooms on weekdays was 38%. On weekends, occupancy rates were closer to 16%, which is not surprising given that most of the staff consult during the week.
Service improvements
Welcoming specialists has been made possible in part by improvements to the services offered within the structure. The acquisition of an ultrasound scanner, financed by the Fémur association (JSB 1565), has enabled regular cardiology consultations to be held, an indispensable discipline in Saint-Barth. A dedicated dermatology room equipped with surgical equipment has been opened in the Maison de la Santé, enabling dermatologists to perform certain surgical procedures on site. A sterilization line has also been installed to ensure the best possible hygienic conditions for these procedures.
Developing telemedicine
For the year 2025, the Maison de la Santé team has set its sights on new objectives. One of the flagship projects is the development of telemedicine to broaden the range of care on offer. The machines required for this service are currently on order. "Patients will not be on their own, but will be guided through all the necessary examinations," insists Dr. Nardin. There are also plans to create a room dedicated to ophthalmology, a service that has been on standby since the departure of Dr. Rident. Screening days for skin cancers are also planned. The facility also wants to strengthen its offering of pneumology, ENT and mental health consultations, to meet the needs of the population as closely as possible.
