In an incisive press release, the AFRED Association sent its best wishes to the families and residents of the public municipal EHPADs of Dijon while denouncing serious and persistent dysfunctions within the Municipal Public Establishment for Action and Protection of the Elderly (EPCAPA) . This speech comes after the announcement, by Mr. Antoine Hoareau, First Deputy Mayor of Dijon and President of the Board of Directors of EPCAPA, of a management mandate entrusted to the Etablissement Public National Antoine Kœnigswarter (EPNAK).
A management mandate welcomed, but years of suffering denounced
AFRED welcomes this late decision to place EPCAPA under management mandate, an approach requested for years by the association. This request followed numerous reports of mistreatment and serious dysfunctions. These situations, endured by residents and their families, were allegedly ignored despite repeated alerts sent to Dijon town hall and the Regional Health Agency (ARS).
The Association also points the finger at the former mayor of Dijon, François Rebsamen, accused of having been informed of this alarming situation without having taken the necessary measures. According to AFRED, these shortcomings have lastingly affected the quality of life of residents of public EHPADs.
Conflicts and illegalities within governance
AFRED also deplores the existence of conflicts of interest within the administration of EPCAPA, highlighting replacements that it describes as illegal, as well as disturbing proximity between certain officials of the establishment and municipal elected officials.
The association recalls that Mr. Francis Pierre, legal representative on the Social Life Council (CVS), was removed from his functions under conditions that it considers contrary to legality. This decision is currently the subject of an appeal before the Administrative Court.
An opaque and worrying public debt
AFRED also raises questions about the financial management of EPCAPA, estimating that the public debt would be much higher than the figures put forward by Mr. Hoareau. The association calls for increased transparency regarding the use of public funds and demands explanations on the dysfunctions observed.
Alerts ignored by local authorities
Despite an alarming report published in May 2024 concerning the conditions of treatment of residents, AFRED regrets that local authorities were slow to react. She would nevertheless like to thank the Côte-d’Or Department for its attentive listening and constant support, as well as the former Prefect, Mr. Franck Robine, for his involvement in this crisis.
Clear expectations for the future
AFRED calls for profound structural changes in the management of EPCAPA. It demands that those responsible for the dysfunctions be brought to justice and that the establishment be run by a competent team, capable of guaranteeing residents a dignified and respectful life. These measures are considered essential to restore the confidence of families and ensure living conditions that meet residents’ expectations.
The Association reaffirms its unwavering commitment to families and residents. She is available to support them in their efforts and advise them in order to ensure that the rights of their loved ones are respected. AFRED insists on the need for reinforced surveillance and rapid transformation of establishments to ensure humane and caring treatment of seniors.
Press release from the AFRED association of January 17, 2025:
-We send our best wishes to the families and residents of the Public Communal EHPADs of the City of Dijon and we take note of today’s letter from Mr. Antoine HOAREAU, First Deputy Mayor of the City of Dijon and Chairman of the Board of Directors of EPCAPA.
Consequently, we would like to thank him for having finally listened, as the Association had requested, to place EPCAPA under GUARDIANSHIP for all the shortcomings observed over these many years, where our elders and their families have suffered from serious dysfunctions and proven mistreatment of which we have all the proof.
The AFRED Association deplores that the Dijon Town Hall did not consult it for all these misdeeds as well as Mr. Francis PIERRE, legal and real representative within the CVS, who seized the Administrative Court of Dijon, for having been illegally excluded from this body which will validate his return to this institution; recalling that the person who currently replaced him, which is not legal; where we denounce a conflict of interest…! in view of the proximity with a deputy mayor of Dijon still in office to this day…
Following all the reports, received for many years by the AFRED Association, the Dijon Town Hall, where the Mayor at the time Mr. François REBSAMEN was perfectly informed of the dramatic situation of all the Public Communal EHPADs in his city; the President of the Association having alerted him on numerous occasions; in vain…!
The Association denounces a failure and serious errors by the management of EPCAPA where Mr. Frédéric PLUCHOT has continued to threaten the Association and its President of which we have all the proof!
As for the debt, it would be wise to know where all this public money was spent… the Association believes, with full knowledge of the facts, that the debt is much higher than the figures announced in the missive from Mr. First Deputy!
The Association regrets that the ARS and the City of Diion, despite all the alerts for many years, are finally recognized by a particularly alarming report from May 2024 concerning the treatment of our seniors in these establishments.
The Côte-d’Or Department has always listened to our reports, for which we sincerely thank them for their work and for all the goodwill of the Elected Officials of the Departmental majority and the competent services.
We would also like to salute the former Prefect, Mr. Franck ROBINE for all his support in these terrible and unacceptable times suffered by our elders and their families; we sincerely thank them.
It seems that the time has come for the dark leadership of EPCAPA to be removed from these functions and to answer before the courts for all these serious misdeeds with which it is accused; and that our elders finally spend a dignified, respectful and caring life within these establishments which are there to provide them with services commensurate with their contributions.
The AFRED Association always remains at the disposal of Families and Residents to best support them in all procedures and advice so that our elders whom we love are treated with humanity.
Kind regards.
L’Association A.F.R.E.D
