A preliminary investigation has been opened into suspected cases of mistreatment in an Aveyron nursing home placed under surveillance by the Regional Health Agency, the prosecution said Tuesday (September 22).
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Triggered by a complaint from the resigning director of the establishment, Frédérique Modolo, the investigation concerns alleged mistreatment inflicted on residents suffering from Alzheimer's at the Onet-le-Château nursing home.
In a statement made public by
France 3
, Ms. Modolo says she discovered at the end of July that staff members had been exchanging, since at least November 2019, photos of residents shown in degrading positions, accompanied by offensive comments.
The ARS was seized on August 6, four of the employees concerned made redundant on August 12 and the families of the protected units concerned informed on September 4, adds Ms. Modolo.
She indicates that she then announced her resignation "
to create an electric shock and force the board of directors to become aware of the many dysfunctions, already old
”.
The ARS carried out an inspection on August 14 which confirmed the existence of "
dysfunctions
" and whose conclusions are the subject of "
contradictory proceedings initiated with the establishment
", told AFP the delegate. departmental, Benjamin Arnal.
Beyond the exchanges on messaging, the nursing home has, according to him, brought up problems of "
taking charge of the residents with conditions of care not corresponding to what must be done
".
"
Since the report, management has shown a form of responsiveness
" but the challenge remains "
to ensure the continuity of care for residents
", some 80 people, under the required conditions, he added.
"
We are waiting for a solid action plan to relaunch the establishment
" exposed if not to a change of manager, he specified.
The establishment, whose management did not immediately respond to requests from AFP, is currently managed by an association.
