In Belgium, Orpea manages 6,200 places in “nursing and care homes” or “serviced residences” and the accusations in the book The Gravediggers partially reproduce there. The management of the Belgian subsidiary has distanced itself from the French parent company but recognizes problems linked to a ” shortage of qualified personnel “. The publication of the book has in any case caused a stir in Belgium and the regional authorities responsible for welcoming seniors are on the alert.
With our correspondent in Brussels, Pierre Benazet
Surprise inspections have already taken place in 12 of the 18 Orpea establishments in Wallonia. Others can also expect unannounced visits as preliminary reports show that a quarter of the nursing homes visited had deficiencies. One of them even received a “very worrying opinion”, according to the regional Minister of Health who mentions financial sanctions.
► To read also: Abuse in nursing homes: Orpea in the crosshairs of the French state
Many complaints filed
The Belgian trade unions confirm that, for several years, cases of lack of staff, poor quality of meals or hygiene and lack of control have been reported. Over the past five years, thirteen complaints have been filed; nine are still ongoing and three have just been added.
No responses to requests for news from families, medical equipment distributed piecemeal, undernourishment, dehydration: these are some of the elements of a complaint filed in 2020.
► To read also: Old age in France: Orpéa officials summoned to the ministry, open investigations
There is no reason for the situation to be better in Flanders, it is said in Dutch-speaking Belgium where two Orpéa establishments in Ostend and Antwerp are in the crosshairs for negligence. There is talk of bedsores, absence of night staff, or non-administration of prescriptions.
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