PARIS (Reuters) – The director general of Orpea France again challenged on Tuesday the accusations of negligence contained in the book-investigation “Les Fossoyeurs”, assuring that the reception establishments for the elderly of the group had “never” subject to the slightest rationing or restriction in the care of residents.
“There is no organized system, as it is described, absolutely none,” Jean-Christophe Romersi told BFM TV, noting that Orpea was not yet familiar with the contents of the book, excerpts from which were published Monday by the newspaper Le Monde.
“We are not free from an error, from something that did not work”, but “it does not correspond to any directive”, he added.
Health Minister Olivier Véran previously announced to the National Assembly that the government had seized Orpea following “serious allegations” in the book, which accuses the group of preferring profitability to the well-being of people. elderly.
“I will see if it is necessary to initiate an investigation by the General Inspectorate on the whole group to check the procedures in force and what are the conditions under which they take charge”, added the minister during the meeting. current affairs session.
In the book, published by Fayard, testimonies and documents mention in particular rationing of food and hygiene products to the detriment of the elderly cared for in the structures of Orpea, which manages nearly 1,200 establishments in Europe and America. Latin.
Following the publication by Le Monde on Monday of the good sheets of the book by journalist Victor Castanet, Orpea had suspended its listing. The action suffered on Tuesday at the Paris Stock Exchange, falling 28.88% on recovery.
(Report Sophie Louet and Jean Terzian, edited by Nicolas Delame)