The Pays de Savoie private hospital, in Annemasse.
The episode of violence that occurred on January 8 at the Pays de Savoie Private Hospital (HPPS) caused turmoil throughout France. According to the caregivers’ account, two men, unhappy with the delay in their treatment, allegedly attacked them that evening: nurse pulled by the hair, broken hand, bruises, hematomas. “It was extremely violent,” the emergency manager testified on TF1, reporting fourteen emergency workers who attended the scene, including seven injured. Several national media outlets took up the matter; and the Minister of Health, Yannick Neuder, traveled to Annemasse, speaking of “zero tolerance”.
A stunning twist
It now appears that the picture painted – nasty patients gratuitously attacking kind caregivers – perhaps only imperfectly reflects the reality of the facts. On Tuesday, the case which appeared to have been heard before being judged took a stunning turn: a source close to the case indicated that “the investigation seems to largely confirm the version of the two supposedly aggressor brothers, and the inebriation of the nursing staff “.
In a press release released on Saturday, the public prosecutor of Thonon-les-Bains, Xavier Goux-Thiercelin, already indicated that the two defendants contested the version of the hospital staff and explained that they were the subject of “false accusations”.
The magistrate wrote as follows: “They criticize the conditions of their care in view of the injuries presented by one of them. They indicate that the brother of the injured man was attacked after pointing out to a caregiver that she smelled of alcohol. Several people reportedly came to get him out. The two brothers claim to have been molested by several people and to have only defended themselves.”
“Nurse pulled by the hair”
Conversely, he reported the caregivers’ version in this way: “According to statements collected from members of the hospital staff, the brother of the injured person, unhappy with the terms and duration of care, then insulted a caregiver , gratuitously accused her of being drunk and pushed her. A nurse asked the person concerned to leave the treatment area, which he had entered without authorization, which he refused to do, pulling the nurse by the hair and pushing her at shoulder level. Members of the hospital staff, off duty, who were there for the Christmas meal, then intervened and received blows and suffered violence from the two individuals.”
-Thirteen victims were recorded among the staff. Twelve were recognized as incapacitated for work of between one and six days, “some of them having suffered physical violence, others psychological shock during the events”, reports the Prosecutor’s Office.
Lack of Vitale card, no support
When he arrived at the hospital, one of the two brothers was seriously injured following a professional accident: he suffered fractures to his face and arm. Despite everything, according to a version which caught the attention of investigators, they were asked to wait outside, where nurses were smoking. Dissatisfied, they returned inside, where they found themselves in the presence of three other caregivers smelling of alcohol – a doctor was organizing a drink upstairs with off-duty staff. The injured man was reportedly refused treatment because he did not have his Vitale card (the French equivalent of a Swiss health insurance card). His brother then got angry, but was violently pushed against the wall by a nurse, even though, according to testimonies, he had not struck any blow. A confused scene would have followed, concluding with the expulsion of the two men. They then went to the HUG, where the injured man was treated.
Video surveillance non-existent
The next day, they presented themselves at the Annemasse police station, not to surrender but to complain about their treatment. They were immediately arrested and taken into custody. On Monday, they were to be tried in immediate appearance. The trial was postponed until February 17 to allow them to organize their defense. The judges will then have material elements, such as medical certificates from the nursing staff – all signed by the doctor who organized the drink on the evening of the incident. But others will be missed. No image of the scene exists: the emergency video surveillance was not working.
The hospital’s lawyer strongly denies
Me Marie-Christine Mante Saroli, lawyer for the hospital and the caregivers, wishes to “firmly deny most of the information” contained in the alternative version which is emerging. “The hearing on February 17 will shed light (…) and highlight the major inconsistencies in the defendants’ statements.” Until then, his clients “already deeply affected, do not wish to fuel a media debate and prefer that the truth be established in the appropriate legal framework”.
