Abuse in French nursing homes: the CEO of Orpea asks for forgiveness
The new CEO of the Orpea group, Philippe Charrier, responds to a committee of the National Assembly in Paris, Wednesday February 2, 2022. AFP - ALAIN JOCARD
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2 mins
Philippe Charrier, the CEO of the giant of the management of private retirement homes in Europe implicated in a scandal of alleged rationing of care and food for the elderly, apologizes in the columns of
Figaro
on March 27.
The leader admits "
dysfunctions
", but rejects the accusations of abuse.
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"
We must and we will improve
."
It is with these words that Philippe Charrier, CEO of Orpea makes his
Mea Culpa
in the columns of the daily newspaper, before presenting his "
most sincere apologies to the residents and families who [...] have suffered the consequences
" of the malfunctions of management, which he acknowledges.
Remarks which follow the announcement this Saturday, March 26 by the French State that a complaint was going to be filed against Orpea, accused of serious malfunctions to the detriment of its residents.
After 6 weeks of investigation, the General Inspectorate of Finance (IGF) and the Inspectorate of Social Affairs (IGAS) had confirmed in a report the
bad practices of the group
revealed last February.
But beyond these excuses, Philippe Charrier takes above all the defense of the group.
According to him, “
there is no Orpea system aimed at optimizing the use of public subsidies
”.
He also refutes the most shocking allegations of Victor Castanet, the journalist who revealed the mechanisms of abuse in the group's Ehpad in the book-investigation "Les Fossoyeurs".
►
To read also: "Les Fossoyeurs", the book-investigation that honors journalism
The CEO of Orpea particularly rejects the accusations of rationing urinary protection and food rationing of elderly residents in his nursing homes.
According to him, the group's nutritional policy is within the standards.
Regarding the complaint filed by the French state, Philippe Charrier “
takes note of
it ” and hopes, in his words, to be able to speak out when the time comes to assert the rights of the group.
As for the reimbursement of public grants claimed by the government, he claims to have, at this stage, received no request.
At the same time, the Minister responsible for Autonomy Brigitte Bourguignon told
the Sunday newspaper
that the reimbursement of public funding used irregularly would amount to "
several tens of millions of euros
" for the period 2017-2020.
►
To read also: France: the State files a complaint against the group of retirement homes Orpea
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