2023-09-14 13:52:00
Home General Lemaire, linked to the CPAS, is in turmoil. Several degrading photos and videos of residents circulated via social networks in private chat groups between colleagues at the rest home. Two caregivers are at the origin of these images. One of them shows an individual on the ground, potentially having fallen from his wheelchair. “We do not know the intention or purpose of these mailings. The only thing that matters to us is that they should not have existed, that they go against the values of our institution and that they have terrible consequences in terms of image. The CPAS aims to enable everyone to live with dignity”, recalls Rémi Cougnet, president of the CPAS.
The photos were undoubtedly taken without the residents’ knowledge. Although they were released very recently, according to the president of the CPAS, some of them are already dated. “Some people who appear there have died,” said Rémi Cougnet.
No layoffs
A complaint had been filed with the AVIQ, but the CPAS and the municipal administration decided to take the matter head on. The president of the CPAS has initiated a dismissal procedure. However, the Social Action Council, in which all political parties are represented, did not follow the president’s intention and did not vote in favor of dismissing these caregivers. This decision having been behind closed doors, the remarks made during the debate could not be revealed. Nevertheless, “fault or not on their part, today they can continue to work,” concludes Rémi Cougnet. The two people concerned are currently on leave for personal reasons, but will therefore be able to return to the institution at the appropriate time.
Following this decision, and the broadcast of the facts in a report by Notélé, the home has received several calls from worried families since Wednesday evening. “Management is doing what it can to reassure residents’ loved ones,” assures the president of the CPAS. “Despite everything, we are a serious institution of which we can be proud, this incident must not tarnish our project.”
It is likely that complaints will soon be filed against the authors of these photos and their distribution.
“There will be a before and an after”
Currently, the home and its staff are not at the heart of an investigation and are not subject to new measures to counter potential future degrading behavior. “We will have to think about it once we have a cool head. First, it is necessary to manage the trauma that this incident caused within the rest home,” explains Rémi Cougnet.
The mayor, Aurélien Brabant, however, confirms it: “there will be a before and an after.” Yesterday, the municipality and the CPAS contacted the AVIQ to open a file.
“We need to discuss with them to find out how we can help them. As the guardian of the rest homes, we can advise them to put in place an action plan to put an end to these degrading activities,” explains Lara Kotlar, spokesperson. word of the AVIQ.
“We took the lead and contacted the AVIQ, rather than waiting for them to contact us on this subject. We may thus be able to benefit from their experience in the field to know how we are going to move forward with our teams and avoid problems. managerial errors, says Aurélien Brabant. We need to be supported.”
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