It’s over for the La Colombe home in Colombier. The Canton of Neuchâtel has had to terminate its operating permit with effect from August 30, 2024. That is, in just two days, it announced on Wednesday.
A drastic decision. But several conditions were no longer met on this site, he explains, without specifying which ones. In addition, the owner had unilaterally announced the closure of the EMS on August 19. Without offering rehousing solutions to the residents, contrary to its obligations.
In this case, it is the Canton that must find a way to relocate the thirty or so residents in other structures. A solution must be found by the end of the week, he assures.
Interviewed by RTN radio, the head of the cantonal public health service, Vincent Hugunenin-Dumittan, assured that the residents had “never been put in difficulty or in danger”. But it is very difficult to rehouse seniors in such a short time. “Normally, in this type of case, we have a period of six months to organize ourselves. Here, we only had two weeks,” he explained. “It is a logistical challenge, but also a human one for the residents, who are leaving a place they know for an unknown site.”
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