A digital platform to collect reports of abuse in nursing homes it will be launched “soon” to “freedom of speech” and will facilitate its monitoring, Solidarity Minister Jean-Christophe Combe announced on Tuesday. “The goal is freedom of speech, to make reports easier and to ensure they are taken into account,” he told the press a year after the investigative book was published. The undertakerswhich revealed abuse and embezzlement in the private group of Orpea rest homes.
Data stored by the ARS
The data of this online portal, currently in the testing phase, will be stored by the Regional Health Agencies (ARS), able to initiate inspections. Currently people can report abuses on the 3977 line, but it is managed by local associations.
Since July, 1,400 nursing homes have been audited by state services. These are the “Ehpads most at risk”, belonging to the Orpea group or subject to complaint”, according to the minister. Republic for criminal acts “: cases of violence, ill-treatment, endangerment of people due to non-compliance with the rules, qualification of personnel, he specified.
Announced contingency plan for staff shortage
As regards staff shortages in nursing homes, a “contingency plan” will be announced in early February to allow for the “rapid qualification of effective employees”, employees hired in nursing homes for an assignment without having of a diploma. The minister announced the start of “general meetings” in February to develop a strategy to combat abuse of vulnerable adults (elderly, disabled or poor).
As for the bill on “aging well” presented in the National Assembly by the presidential majority, it should be examined in commission “at the end of February and beginning of March” therefore “inscribed in the wake of government time”. It will be “enriched” with the conclusions of the National Council for the Refoundation on Aging Well, the conclusions of which are expected in April, said the minister.