Council of Europe warns of crisis in French nursing homes

The Council of Europe has raised alarms regarding the state of medicalized nursing homes (Ehpad) in France. In a letter addressed to the French Minister for Autonomy and People with Disabilities, Commissioner for Human Rights Michael O'Flaherty highlighted several critical issues observed during visits to various facilities in June.

O'Flaherty reported that human and financial resources are described by stakeholders as “largely insufficient.” He specifically noted staff shortages and high turnover rates, which lead to a degradation of both working and living conditions. Additionally, the Commissioner pointed to aging, cramped infrastructure that is often ill-equipped to handle the effects of climate change.

To address these concerns, the Commissioner called for improved staff-to-resident ratios, guaranteed resources for recruitment and training, and the implementation of more frequent, unannounced inspections.

In response, Minister Camille Galliard-Minier acknowledged that significant difficulties remain within the sector, which manages approximately 7,500 facilities and 600,000 places. She noted that the government aims to recruit 50,000 additional professionals by 2030, following previous investments in salary increases through the 2020 Ségur de la santé initiative.