Ehpad Emera: the CGT writes to the government to denounce “generalized mistreatment”

Towards a new Orpea affair? The CGT announces that it has been alerted to “physical violence” and “shortcomings” in several private nursing homes of the Emera group and calls for a referral to the General Inspectorate of Social Affairs (Igas), in a letter to the government. “It appears that the Emera group maintains a system of widespread abuse which takes place every day with their […] residents and […] employees”writes the number one of the central Sophie Binet in this letter addressed to the Minister of Solidarity Aurore Bergé, to the Defender of Rights Claire Hédon and to the founder of the group of nursing homes Claude Cheton, according to the document published by Humanity Friday December 1st.

“First union organization within the group”CGT day a “been alerted by numerous employees and families of residents of the group of situations of physical and verbal violence, breaches of care and hygiene”, lists Sophie Binet. “When staff representatives denounce this failing system puts them in danger just as much as the residents», continues the number 1 of the central, they “are threatened with sanctions and management uses intimidation methods to silence them.”

Consequently, the CGT asks Aurore Bergé to refer the matter to the General Inspectorate of Social Affairs “in order to carry out a control, audit, expertise and evaluation mission for the Emera group”.

An investigation and five complaints

According to the Bordeaux public prosecutor’s office, an investigation targeting an Ehpad in Gradignan (Gironde) was opened for “usual violence against vulnerable people” after a complaint filed against Emera, who denied these accusations and denounced the “disinformation”. In total, five complaints have been filed against several establishments over the past two years, according to The world, which is confirmed by the group of retirement homes.

In its defense, the Emera group claims not to have “practical knowledge of pressure on personnel”what would be “contrary to the exchange policy advocated by the group.” “We express our most sincere condolences for the isolated situations which led in particular to deaths but contest some of the complaints”adds Emera, assuring that“none of these complaints has at this stage given rise to a conviction or indictment” of his responsibility.

Founded in 1987 by Claude Cheton, the Emera group has 7,000 employees and more than 100 establishments in France and Europe. Its turnover amounted to more than 230 million euros in 2018, just before the repurchase in 2019 of part of its capital by the investment funds Ardian and Naxicap.