a clinic in cessation of payments, 80 employees in uncertainty

The Châtellerault private clinic, belonging to the Kapa group, has just announced its cessation of payments. In a territory poorly equipped with doctors, the new tension, medical staff, unions and elected officials. The health authorities assure that everything will be done to maintain the provision of care.

A few days before Christmas, the announcement goes badly for the 80 employees. The private clinic in Châtellerault has stopped paying. In question, the absence of financial support from the Kapa group for its establishment. Despite everything, he would like the establishment to be able to continue providing its service while waiting for a buyer. But in Châtellerault, the fear is still felt in an already difficult context for the provision of care. “The Pays Châtelleraudais cannot afford the luxury of depriving itself of practitioners“, considers Dr. Josselin Kamga, president of the medical commission of the private clinic of Châtellerault. Elected officials, staff, unions all hope that a solution can be found

Last July, the High Authority of Health came to inspect the medical establishment. This has not renewed its certification, which it grants for a period of four years. “It is an administrative procedure which evaluates the establishment on a certain number of criteria. There is patient care, protocols and administrative procedureslists Dr. Josselin Kamga. We have validated more than 90% on the patient care and organization of practitioners aspects. In our case, it was mainly a question of administrative protocols that had to be perfected.“

We hope to be able to continue to practice our profession and offer residents our specialties which are complementary to those of the University Hospital. We just want to work.

Doctor Josselin Kamga,

President of the medical commission of the private clinic of Châtellerault

According to the doctor, this non-renewal has no link with the announcement of cessation of payment. But since then, the Nouvelle-Aquitaine Regional Health Agency (ARS) has supported the clinic, particularly financially. But that wasn't enough. The group's management has been reporting financial difficulties since 2023 and has been unable to resolve the situation. “The lack of commitment from the Kapa group to support the clinic over the long term with the recent confirmation of its pure and simple disengagement, has not allowed to provide new cash assistance“, writes the ARS in a press release. Having managed up to 30 health establishments in France, the group now only has two.

Despite its announcement of cessation of payments to the Poitiers Commercial Court, the Kapa group wishes to be placed in receivership, while it finds a buyer. He hopes the activity can continue in the meantime. “There is every interest, because the diaries are full for all surgeons at least until the end of March“, points out Dr. Josselin Kamga. Before continuing: “We hope to be able to continue to practice our profession and offer residents our specialties which are complementary to those of the University Hospital. We just want to work.“

Because concern is now focused on the provision of care in Châtellerault and its surroundings. The Kapa clinic has 100 beds, a loss which would be damaging for the Pays Châtelleraudais. “This will transfer this offer to the public hospital which already has problems operating. The CHU branch does not have enough resources and has closed its emergency rooms at night“, raises Sophie Ardon, regional secretary of FO Santé.

We need to find buyers, but at what cost? There must be no reduction in beds or staff.

Sophie Ardon, regional secretary FO Santé

Difficulties of which Jean-Pierre Abelin, the mayor of Châtellerault, is well aware. “This is bad news for our territory. But I want to remain optimistic for the future. This clinic is a beautiful structure, recognized for its expertise and run by competent and committed professionals. It can attract a buyer ready to invest to preserve this wealth in the service of our territory.“, he hopes in a press release. Just like the ARS, he assures that “everything will be done to protect and perpetuate the healthcare offering in Châtellerault“.

On January 3, union officials from FO Santé must meet the director of the ARS of Vienne in order to “take stock of the department's health establishments, whether public or private“. Sophie Ardon warns: “We need to find buyers, but at what cost? There must be no reduction in beds or staff.“The union is already asking that in the event of closure, staff can be integrated into the public healthcare offering,”where there are recruitment problems“.

The ARS is committed to its side “to find all the appropriate solutions to guarantee both a solution for all clinic professionals and at the same time support for quality for all clinic patients“At the establishment level, the president of the clinic's medical commission, Josselin Kamga, notes a certain solidarity among the staff.”We don't let ourselves be defeated“, he says.

The Poitiers commercial court must rule on the situation of the Kapa clinic on January 10, 2025. Until then, concern is strongly felt in Châtellerault.