Someone under my supervision has joined the Health Reserve. What does that mean?

When a person under your authority joins the Health Reserve, they are performing a civic duty. They are declaring their readiness to assist colleagues at other facilities across France, near or far, should the health authorities require their assistance.

Joining the Health Reserve is a voluntary act. It does not imply any right or obligation to go on a mission. It simply allows Santé publique France to contact directly the professionals who may be needed during a crisis. It encourages each person who joins to prepare and train themselves so they can be immediately effective when the time comes.

A person under my authority has joined the Health Reserve. Do I need to give my prior approval?

No, joining the Health Reserve is a voluntary act, not subject to the employer’s consent (Article L3133-3). The interested individual registers freely online and enters into a bilateral contract with Santé publique France. This contract specifies the rights and obligations of the Health Reserve member; it has no effect on the employer.

An employee under my supervision has been selected to carry out a mission or training as part of the Health Reserve. Do I need to give my prior approval?

Yes, the individual freely applies when a mission is announced, but must obtain their employer’s consent if their application is accepted. Santé publique France does not intervene in this process; it is up to each reservist to negotiate directly with their employer.

If you give your consent, the reservist will inform us, and their assignment will be confirmed. If you refuse, Santé publique France will call on the next candidate(s). Your consent or refusal must therefore be provided very quickly to allow the replacement(s) time to make arrangements.

The same rules apply to training assignments offered to medical reservists by Santé publique France.

Exception:

• Public-sector healthcare reservists may carry out the assignment or training during their personal time (annual leave, etc.) under the right to hold multiple jobs. In this case, the assignment or training is not subject to your approval, since the reservist is not expected to be at work during the relevant period.

• Health reservists employed under private law may carry out the mission or training during unpaid leave. This leave temporarily suspends the employment contract. During this period, the assignment or training is not subject to your approval, since the reservist is no longer under your authority.

A person under my authority has gone on a mission or training assignment as part of the Medical Reserve. Is the employer entitled to compensation?

Periods of training and service in the Health Reserve entitle the employer to compensation, unless these were carried out during the reservist’s personal time or on unpaid leave. In these two cases, it is the reservist who receives the compensation, not their employer. Compensation is paid upon the employer’s request. The amount is a lump sum, determined by a resolution of the Board of Directors of Santé publique France. The compensation is calculated on a pro-rata basis according to the number of days of duty and training (from departure from home until return home). For reference, the compensation levels defined by Resolution 2022-47 of November 25, 2022, provide for four tiers:

• €300 per day of assignment and €150 per day of training for physicians, pharmacists, and midwives;

• €125 per day of fieldwork and €62.50 per day of training for psychologists, nurses, engineers, and senior administrative staff;

• €80 per day of fieldwork and €40 per day of training for other professions typically classified as Category B;

• €65 per day of service and €32.50 per day of training for other professions typically classified as Category C.

A person under my authority has gone on a mission or training assignment as part of the Medical Reserve. How does this benefit their colleagues?

Assignments and training are enriching experiences not only for the Health Reserve members but also for the teams with which they work on a daily basis. These experiences help them navigate often complex situations and discover new ways of working. They enhance responsiveness, adaptability, creativity, and autonomy. They will experience solidarity among healthcare professionals.

What happens in the event of an accident or illness while on a mission?

Each medical reservist is covered, pursuant to Article L.3133-6, during periods of employment or training in the Medical Reserve.
Santé publique France covers absences related to the mission as well as days of absence resulting from a work-related accident or an illness linked to the mission or training.

What should I do if I have other questions?

Santé publique France trains reservists on the rules outlined above and provides them with explanatory documents and necessary forms. Therefore, for any questions you may have, you should first consult the reservist who is usually under your authority.

It is important that each reservist actively participates in preparing for their mission or training: negotiating with their colleagues and with you is an integral part of the skills required of medical reservists.