The Ombudsman criticizes the lack of humanity in the health network and the abusive use of force to control people in health establishments. In particular, an elderly person was tied, for no reason, in an armchair with a view of a wall.
The law authorizes health and social services workers to use force, isolation and the application of chemical or physical restraint, especially when people present a risk of harm to themselves or someone else. However, “in the field, control measures are sometimes used abusively, contravening the rules,” the ombudsman points out.
These measures mainly target elderly people with mental health problems in CHSLDs and young people in youth centres.
“Staff turnover and insufficient training contribute to the shortcomings,” the Ombudsman’s report states.
However, “resorting to control measures must remain exceptional, respect the strict framework of application, never compensate for staff shortages and never be put in place for punitive purposes,” he indicates.
The protector gives the example of abusive isolation in a hospital center as well as a person who was tied to an armchair with a view of a wall in a geriatric unit.
The last case is worrying, the protector said.
“The relatives had previously agreed to a control measure, namely a belt with an anti-trigger buckle. However, the staff systematically used it, even in the absence of any justification. Thus, in practice, even when he showed no disorganization, the man was kept in his chair,” the report emphasizes.
Without his cat
The Ombudsman also reports that social services refused to empty the litter box of a dying man’s cat. The contribution was not part of the services provided.
“Socially isolated,” the man lived alone with his cat, whom he considered his only life companion.
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