The French Regional Health Agency has made a drastic decision to immediately suspend the operations of four child psychiatry departments at the Fondation Vallée clinic in Gentilly. The decision, effective February 27, follows an inspection revealing serious irregularities. Inspectors found the use of prohibited isolation and confinement practices for minor patients, violating current legal and ethical standards for the care of sick children.
Serious Violations of Standards
The inspection revealed the use of unauthorized isolation of minor patients, which contradicts French regulations on mental health protection.
Suspension of Hospitalization
Starting February 27, 2026, four units of the Fondation Vallée clinic will halt admitting patients for inpatient treatment.
Purpose of the Supervisory Measure
The ARS decision aims to compel the management to implement changes ensuring full safety for the children being treated.
The Regional Health Agency (ARS) of Île-de-France has announced an emergency suspension of full hospitalization in four child psychiatry units belonging to the renowned Fondation Vallée facility in Gentilly. This decision came after a series of alarming signals led to a detailed inspection in November 2025. The inspection confirmed that the center engaged in unlawful confinement of patients, raising serious concerns about the safety and well-being of the children there. Supervisory institutions deemed these practices an unacceptable violation of medical standards. The authorities emphasize that this measure is administrative and temporary, giving the hospital time to comply with legal requirements. Starting February 27, 2026, the facility will no longer admit new patients for overnight stays, forcing a reorganization of care for children already in these departments. This situation is unprecedented as it concerns one of the most important institutions dealing with the mental health of the youngest in the Paris metropolitan area. The health ministry assures that the priority remains ensuring continuity of treatment in safe conditions, which may involve transferring some patients to other centers. The French mental health care system has struggled for years with staff shortages and underfunding, often leading to the use of coercive measures despite tightened regulations intended to protect patient rights.The ARS's actions signal a tightening of supervision over private and public foundations conducting medical activities. „This decision aims to guarantee safe care for children and eliminate isolation practices that exceed legal frameworks.” — ARS Statement The case has sparked a broad discussion in France about the limits of using isolation in treating children. Many human rights organizations point out that the abuse of such methods is a form of systemic violence stemming from staffing shortages in the medical sector. 4 — departments will be closed at the end of February [{"dataISO": "2025-11-15", "data": "November 2025", "event": "ARS inspection conducted"}, {"dataISO": "2026-02-19", "data": "February 19, 2026", "event": "Decision to suspend operations announced"}, {"dataISO": "2026-02-27", "data": "February 27, 2026", "event": "Official date for cessation of hospitalization"}]Liberal-leaning media emphasize the need to protect the dignity of young patients and condemn all forms of violence in hospitals. | Conservative outlets highlight the crisis in the health service, suggesting that staff shortages force doctors to use drastic measures.