French Retirement Home Chief Fired Amid Patient Abuse, Negligence Scandal
NDTV
The Orpea retirement homes came under scrutiny following the publication of book "The Gravediggers," which cites employee testimonies that residents are at times left for hours with soiled underwear or go days without care.
The chief executive of major France-based retirement home operator Orpea was removed on Sunday, the company board said in a statement following allegations of patient abuse and hygiene negligence.
Orpea boss Yves Le Masne will leave the company with immediate effect, the statement said, without stating a reason but noting the non-executive chairman would replace him.
The homes came under scrutiny following the publication of book "The Gravediggers" by independent journalist Victor Castanet, which cites employees and relatives claiming that residents are at times left for hours with soiled underwear or go days without care as managers seek to maximise profit margins.
The scandal has drawn widespread condemnation from officials and calls for inspections of the upscale Orpea homes by the authorities.