The Minister for the Autonomy of the Elderly, Brigitte Bourguignon, received this Tuesday, February 1, the leaders of Orpea and announced the opening of two administrative investigations, including one by the General Inspectorate of Finance on the Orpéa group, at the heart of a lively controversy over the reception conditions in its nursing homes, accommodation establishments for dependent elderly people.
Investigations and measures. This is what Brigitte Bourguignon promised. The Minister in charge of the Autonomy of the Elderly informed the leaders of Orpéa of ” his indignation “. The dysfunctions revealed bring stigma to an entire sector… they worry residents and their families… and they help to discourage professionals who have been mobilized since the start of the health crisis “. This is what can be read in the press release published at the end of the meeting.
The minister had promised to hit hard, not to be content with Orpéa’s explanations. And besides, even before the meeting this morning, she announced the opening of two investigations, one administrative, the other financial. It is therefore the entire private group that will be scrutinized. As for the Ephad of the company, they will be subject to unexpected checks.
The management of Orpéa is committed to collaborating. It even welcomes all these inspections which will make it possible to restore the truth, believes its new CEO who rejects the accusations contained in the book by Victor Castanet, The gravediggers.
► Read also : Ehpad: implicated, Orpea dismisses its CEO Yves Le Masne
The group, the world’s number one nursing home, is accused of mistreating its residents: this was revealed by the journalist’s investigation, carried out over several years.
In this book, ” it’s an entire system that is denounced and that’s what I want to understand “, reacted Brigitte Bourguignon invited this Tuesday morning on France Inter. Victor Castanet’s investigation caused a shock wave in public opinion. The journalist describes a system where hygiene care, medical care, and even residents’ meals are ” rationed for the sake of profitability.
If the first comment is laudatory, some visitors do indeed believe that the quality of care leaves something to be desired: lack of staff, forgetting to take medication…
Listen to this report in front of an EHPAD Orpéa in the Paris region
The Orpea group
Orpea was founded in 1989 and floated on the stock exchange four years later. The leading operator of retirement homes in France, the group is expanding rapidly internationally. It is present today in 23 countries. The group boasts comprehensive care for dependency, with its nursing homes, private clinics and home help services.
But the other side of the picture is quite different: its management methods are quickly challenged. While the CGT denounces an attempt of infiltration on the part of the management in order to spy on the employees, the press reports cases of mistreatment. The families of boarders are sending out warning signals.
Tongues are loosened… Employees denounce deplorable working conditions, but also cases of harassment and unfair dismissals.
Clearly, it is the group’s economic model that is called into question here. A system focused solely on profitability where the rationing of meals and care takes precedence over human dignity. And this while the stays of residents are charged at a high price.
A more global reflection on accommodation for the elderly
Finally, beyond the case of Orpéa, Brigite Bourguignon, wants to initiate a more global reflection on the Ephad in order to prevent such situations from recurring. Families, elected officials, sector players and social partners will be consulted in the coming days. The government will announce measures by the end of February.
► Also to listen : Are our elders neglected? (the debate of the day)