Allonnes, April 16, 2024 — A French mental health facility facing a critical shortage of psychiatrists is bracing for a potentially devastating audit that could result in the loss of its operating certification. The Sarthe public mental health establishment, which has been without a director since last summer, will be inspected by the High Health Authority from April 20-24.
Psychiatrist Shortage Threatens Facility’s Future
The Allonnes EPSM is grappling with dwindling staff and a history of patient care concerns.
- The EPSM de la Sarthe received a “D” rating—the lowest possible—during a previous inspection in 2024.
- The facility’s number of psychiatrists has plummeted from 60 to 25 in the last decade.
- A new “zero restraint, zero isolation” policy is being implemented to improve patient care.
- The EPSM hopes to attract more medical professionals through partnerships with local universities.
The upcoming audit isn’t just a formality; it’s a matter of survival for the Allonnes EPSM. A previous inspection in 2024 delivered a scathing “D” rating, the worst possible evaluation for a healthcare facility in France. Inspectors cited concerns about patient rights, specifically the overuse of restraint and isolation practices. This poor performance triggers another audit within 18 months, which is now scheduled for this spring.
What are the biggest challenges facing the EPSM de la Sarthe? The most pressing issue is a dramatic decline in the number of psychiatrists on staff. Former director Céline Lagrais lamented a drop from 60 psychiatrists a decade ago to just 25 before her departure. Dr. Thierry Godard, president of the medical commission, warns that the situation is worsening, stating, “Very clearly, there are still staffing problems. Other departures are also planned for 2026.”
Interim director Philippet Paret is attempting to reverse this trend with a strategy focused on “universalization.” “The idea is to attract medical students, interns, and residents to us,” Paret explained. A steering committee will be established on February 11 with the medical faculty and the University Hospital of Angers, as well as the CHM. Additionally, 15 positions for practitioners with degrees from outside the European Union (Padhue) will be created to address the growing need for care.
New “Zero Restraint, Zero Isolation” Policy
To improve the quality of care and “restore meaning” to the work of its teams, Paret also announced the implementation of a new “zero restraint, zero isolation” policy. This shift has been praised by Stéphan Domingo, the departmental director of the Regional Health Agency, who called it “a necessary cultural change.” Domingo emphasized, “It is essential to keep in mind that isolation and restraint should be exceptions in patient care. And that wasn’t the case here.”
With this evolution, the EPSM de la Sarthe hopes to maintain its certification and welcome a new director starting in May. The future of mental healthcare in the Sarthe region hangs in the balance.
