Victor Castanet, the author of the book-investigation
Les Fossoyeurs
which highlights dysfunctions within Orpea, estimated Tuesday March 15 in front of senators that it was necessary to control the headquarters of the large groups of Ehpad to ensure their proper functioning.
"
Above all, we need trained people and people who control in the right place, especially at headquarters
," argued the journalist during a hearing at the Senate's Social Affairs Committee.
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The large groups are putting in place “
financial and accounting practices, you need people who are trained
” in these areas to carry out inspections, he said.
However, the inspectors of the Regional Health Agencies (ARS), responsible for carrying out the checks, have “
medical expertise
” and “
labour law
”, according to him.
Last week, the government announced that 150 additional agents will be recruited in the ARS to control all of the 7,500 nursing homes in France within two years.
“
Is this the solution
” to detect and prevent abuse in the sector?
"
I doubt
it," replied Victor Castanet.
"
It's been years since these large groups centralized everything
“, he said, stressing that it is necessary “to
control the seat
”.
“
Serious facts
” raised
Rationing of food, care, personnel: in his book-investigation, the journalist describes a system put in place by the managers of Orpea to maximize the company's profits to the detriment of the well-being of the elderly who live in the Ehpad of the group.
After the publication of this explosive work, the government opened a double administrative investigation into the Orpea group, entrusted to the general inspections of social affairs (Igas) and finances (IGF).
"
The Igas/IGF mission has successfully completed its work and raised serious facts, on which the Orpea group, which has acknowledged receipt of the report, must now respond
", indicated Tuesday in a note to the press the services of the Minister Delegate to Autonomy, Brigitte Bourguignon.
The finalization of the report “
will not take place before next week, in order to allow a contradictory phase with Orpea
”.
When the government receives the finalized report, it "
will propose, where appropriate, jurisdictional, financial or administrative follow-up
", added the minister's services.