“A catastrophic situation. » The federation of Cerebral Paralysis France associations sent a letter on July 6 to Geneviève Darrieussecq, Minister Delegate in charge of Disabled People, to warn about the shortage of arms in the medico-social sector.
According to her, 20 to 30% of the positions of nurses, caregivers, educational and social support workers, physiotherapists or occupational therapists are vacant in establishments and medico-social services for adults (ESMS), in charge people with disabilities. With, as a result, the obligation for parents, often elderly and losing their autonomy, to take their children home.
Constraints and competition
In question, the difficulties of recruitment. “Ten years ago, we were overwhelmed by requests for internships and jobs. The situation has since reversed.advances Jacky Vagnoni, the president of the federation, who evokes several reasons: impoverished sectors, low wages, night work and weekends… And a collateral effect of the Ségur de la santé in July 2020. “The health sector, along with hospitals, was the first to be affected by salary increases, to the detriment of our sector, which is already unattractive. We sometimes observe a difference of 800 € between the salary of a nurse in the sanitary and medico-social”the president is alarmed.
If the situation varies from one territory to another, the number of vacant positions is problematic in several regions, such as that of Lyon. Valérie Löchen, general manager of the Odyneo association, which manages 35 establishments and services in the Rhône and Jura, thus accuses a lack of staff of 30 to 40% in medicalized reception centers for people with multiple disabilities. “It is difficult to properly ensure basic needs such as washing, dressing, because we call on unqualified people”laments the director.
“The summer of all dangers”
In the same situation, Isabelle Moreno, director of the Arimoc association in Béarn, even offers summer jobs: “It’s a risk-taking, but it is necessary to relieve the holders, victims of an increase in accidents at work because of stress and repeated acts. » An emergency solution which will not prevent the closure of certain services this summer, in particular temporary reception. “We must guarantee leave to the holders”insists Valérie Löchen.
Another major problem is the massive return of temporary work, which creates turnover, sometimes from one day to the next, and can destabilize dependent people, who are already sensitive to support conditions. “Imagine a different person coming into your room every morning for the shower.annoys Valérie Löchen. It’s depressing, they tell themselves that they don’t count. » And temporary workers also go on leave. “Temporary work will dry up with departures on vacation, to the detriment of people who risk seeing a good number of leisure and social life activities cancelled”adds Jacky Vagnoni.
In the letter addressed to the minister, the president of the federation requests an appointment “as a matter of urgency to share an inventory of the medico-social sector”. But above all concrete acts, such as the guarantee of “immediate financing of the Ségur measures granted and announced” . And more generally, a « plan Marshall » : “As with a natural disaster, a massive response is needed. »