French Private Doctors End 10-Day Strike

Private medical practitioners across France have reached the conclusion of a 10-day general strike that began on January 5, 2026. The coordinated labor action represented a significant show of force from the nation's independent physicians.

The strike was organized under the banner of all major unions representing private doctors, creating a unified front against government health policy. The timing of this conclusion coincides with a new escalation from a specialized surgical union.

The industrial action stems from deep disagreements over the 2026 social security budget. Physicians took issue with specific austerity measures embedded within the legislation that they argue will compromise patient care and physician compensation.

The protest movement gained momentum rapidly once launched, with doctors citing several key concerns:

• Reduced reimbursement rates for medical procedures
• Increased administrative burdens on independent practices
• Restrictions on certain billing codes and practices
• Broader concerns about healthcare system sustainability

While the general strike has formally ended, the underlying budgetary dispute remains unresolved.

As the broader strike concludes, a surgeons' syndicate has announced a separate, more severe labor action. This specialized union has called for an unlimited strike specifically targeting guard duty responsibilities.

This escalation represents a critical development because:

• Guard duties cover emergency surgical coverage
• Unlimited duration creates uncertainty for hospital planning
• Specialized surgical skills are difficult to replace
• Patient safety in trauma cases could be directly impacted

The timing is particularly sensitive as hospitals attempt to resume normal operations following the 10-day general strike disruption.

The remarkable aspect of the 10-day strike was the complete coordination among all physician unions. Historically, different unions may have varying strategies and negotiation positions.

This unified approach sent a powerful message to health authorities about the depth of professional discontent. The collective action demonstrated that concerns about the social security budget transcend typical union rivalries.

The surgeons' union's decision to continue with their own unlimited action suggests that specialized practitioners feel their specific concerns may not be adequately addressed through the general protest.

The combination of these labor actions creates a complex healthcare landscape for French patients. While the general strike has ended, the unlimited surgical guard duty strike introduces new uncertainty.

Patients requiring emergency surgical care may face:

• Longer wait times for emergency procedures
• Transfers to facilities with available surgical coverage
• Postponement of non-critical elective surgeries
• Limited access to specialized surgical expertise

The healthcare system now faces the challenge of resolving budget disputes while maintaining adequate emergency coverage during the ongoing surgical strike.

The conclusion of the 10-day general strike does not signal the end of tensions between private physicians and health authorities. The unlimited surgical guard duty strike ensures that pressure on the system continues.

Key questions remain about how quickly negotiations can resume and whether the social security budget measures will be modified. The surgical union's open-ended action suggests they are prepared for a prolonged dispute if their demands are not met.

Healthcare administrators, patients, and policymakers will be watching closely to see if a resolution can be reached that addresses physicians' concerns while maintaining essential emergency surgical services.