OUDENAARDE, Belgium – Authorities have launched an external investigation into De Meerspoort nursing home in Oudenaarde, East Flanders, following reports of inappropriate behaviour towards elderly residents.
The probe follows an alarming report by the Flemish Agency for Care and Health, which prompted immediate measures to address concerns over resident safety and staff conduct.
Four young individuals, including an 18-year-old student worker, have been arrested for filming and distributing degrading videos of elderly residents.
The 18-year-old suspect has been charged and imprisoned on multiple counts, including theft, degrading treatment, and voyeurism.
The other suspects include the 18-year-old’s 20-year-old brother, who also worked at the nursing home, a 19-year-old male, and the first suspect’s 20-year-old partner.
The latter had previously been dismissed from a student job at a care centre for adults with disabilities in Kortrijk, raising further concerns about oversight in the sector.
Call for Transparency and Structural Reforms
Elisabeth Meuleman, Groen Councillor responsible for elderly care, emphasised the need for transparency and systemic reforms to prevent future incidents.
“We have initiated an external investigation into the residential care centre. This should help identify necessary structural improvements,” Meuleman stated. “We aim to fully uncover what happened and ensure it never occurs again.”
The local government has assured full cooperation with the ongoing judicial investigation, while authorities have invited relatives of affected residents to express their concerns.
New Complaints and Historical Failures
The scandal has sparked additional complaints, with local police now investigating reports of thefts that allegedly occurred before the current abuse allegations surfaced.
Further scrutiny has revealed that De Meerspoort had previously dismissed two staff members in 2019 and 2020 for inappropriate behaviour.
This revelation has intensified criticism of the home’s management and oversight procedures, raising questions about whether warning signs were ignored.
In response, the Flemish Agency for Care and Health has mandated the nursing home to implement stricter procedures for preventing, detecting, and addressing inappropriate behaviour by April 4.
A Sector Under Scrutiny
The incident has reignited debates over the quality of elderly care in Belgium, with advocates calling for stricter background checks and improved supervision in residential facilities.
Families of residents have expressed outrage, demanding accountability and stronger protections for their loved ones.
As the investigation unfolds, authorities are under pressure to ensure justice for the victims and to restore public trust in the country’s care facilities.
