A radiology unit is expected to open by the end of 2026 on the site of the Brignoles-Le Luc intercommunal hospital.

The stages of this project, which has been open since last year, are now set. Studies and work will be scheduled, and delivery is expected in the last quarter of 2026. A radiology care unit is expected to open in just over a year in the Précoumin district, on the site of the Brignoles - Le Luc intercommunal hospital (CHIBLL). It will consist of a scanner, an ultrasound machine, and a conventional radiology table.

The result of a public-private partnership, this project is being jointly led by the hospital and two imaging firms. All three organizations will be members of the Economic Interest Group (EIG), which will oversee its operation.

This future facility, which will be close to the 40,000 residents of Cœur du Var, will extend over an area designated as a priority health intervention zone. It is part of other projects, including the renovation of the Précoumin nursing home, the creation of a health center with the aim of increasing healthcare provision, strengthening care, improving attractiveness, and more broadly, filling a gap in a medical desert.

Validated in February

The Luc site is finding new life and prospects. It has come a long way, as Dominique Lain, vice-president of the board of directors and mayor of Le Luc, mentioned during the presentation of the project. He had to face a worrying situation upon taking office. In 2015, the Luc hospital was placed under supervision. A recovery plan was then established "in order to improve medical representation in the area, preserve employment and initiate development" . A major reflection was launched. "All the partners then worked on a shared medical project, supported by all stakeholders."

From a joint management initially, the hospitals of Le Luc and Brignoles then became one. This pooling of resources led to joint projects, supported by the Regional Health Agency (ARS), with the renovation of one of the two nursing homes. And the creation of an imaging platform, the application for which was submitted on August 15, 2024. After five months of review, it was validated last February by the regional director of the ARS. The CHIBLL was authorized to install a scanner. The two other applications in the running, in Le Cannet and Nans, were not selected.

Faced with a saturation of care in this area, this new equipment aims to respond to the challenges in terms of medical shortages, low use of screening, an increase in pathologies, particularly chronic ones, etc.

"Trust and consistency"

With the genesis thus outlined, the general director of CHIBLL, Damien Flourez, gave an update on this public-private cooperation on the same model as the MRI at the Brignoles hospital. "This co-administered system has demonstrated its qualities, particularly in terms of trust and consistency." That is, an economic interest group (EIG). "It is a private structure owned 51% by the hospital and 49% by the practitioners," explained Dr. Bensoussan, director of the Xray Phocea firm, a member of the future EIG Cœur de Var like his colleague, "which I represent," ^Dr. Cazalas, director of the Parc Rambot firm. The professional highlighted a project "that makes sense, is relevant, and sustainable. Everyone benefits from it."

The EIG, with its private funds, acquires the equipment and materials, employs and pays the teams. The CHIBLL provides land and a building. "In order to be operational quickly, we opted for off-site construction. That is, a company will construct the building and come and deliver it," the director pointed out. In fact, the foundations will be laid beforehand.

"Meeting needs"

"The amortization (of the construction cost, Ed.) will be guaranteed by the rents paid by the GIE. The money goes back into the public good. It's a virtuous circle." The hospital management will also have to ensure "that the activity carried out meets the health needs of the territory and allows for the forging of links with professionals. In this context, the CPTS (Territorial Professional Health Community) of the Heart of Var will have an important role to play." In addition, the teams at the Toulon Sainte-Musse hospital "have joined this dynamic ." If necessary, "they are ready to help us."

This new imaging platform should notably enable the reduction of waiting times for radiological examinations and medical transport as well as the reduction of systematic visits to emergency rooms.

The aim is to subsequently complete the offer with a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and a mammogram. In this dynamic, other projects may emerge. In any case, the march forward is underway in the Précoumin district on the CHIBLL lands, to the great satisfaction of Dominique Lain and all the stakeholders (1).

1. Also present were: Christine Amrane, vice-president of the departmental council; Yannick Simon, president of Cœur du Var; Fernand Brun, vice-president of Cœur du Var; Elisabeth Mariottini, first deputy mayor of Le Luc; Agnès Grateau and Patrick Béguin, respectively director and president of the territorial professional health community of Cœur du Var.