10. Dr PAUL HUTCHISON (National—Port Waikato) Link to this
to the Minister for Disability Issues
Was she aware of complaints surrounding Focus 2000 prior to 2005; if not, why not?
Hon RUTH DYSON (Minister for Disability Issues) Link to this
As Minister for Disability Issues, I have no record of receiving any complaints about Focus 2000 prior to 2005.
Dr Paul Hutchison Link to this
Does the Minister seriously expect New Zealanders to believe that although widespread allegations involving death, maltreatment, and abuse were documented as far back as 2002, she did not find out for over 2½ years?
As Minister for Disability Issues, I have no record of having received any complaints about concerns about Focus 2000 prior to the date that I have already confirmed, 3 weeks running, to that member in this House. What part of that does he not understand?
Dr Paul Hutchison Link to this
What has the Minister actually done, now that she is aware of the wide number of complaints surrounding Focus 2000?
I presume the member is referring, in terms of width, to the range of issues that have been raised, given that they range from literal abuse through to overpayment. As Minister for Disability Issues, I have discussed the matter with the Minister responsible for service delivery, and have confidence in the process he has in place for the auditing of those issues.
Sue MoroneyI am aware of the very deep concern within the disability sector regarding comments that advocating for disability is too PC and divorced from the mainstream. Those comments were made by the National Party’s PC eradicator, Dr Wayne Mapp.
Dr Paul Hutchison Link to this
If the very serious 2002 complaints about Focus 2000 were kept secret by the Ministry of Health until recently, as is alleged by the New Zealand Herald, does she, as Minister for Disability Issues, agree that the Ministry of Health has covered up an issue that deeply affects thousands of disabled people?
In relation to the first part of that question, it is possible that on this one particular occasion the New Zealand Herald has got it wrong. I am not implying that; I just realise that it is a possibility. In response to the second part of the question, I suggest that if the member wants answers about issues relating to health services, he ask the Minister of Health.
Dr Paul Hutchison Link to this
Is the Minister not failing to fulfil her role as advocate for the disabled, when allegations including death by choking, maltreatment, and abuse remain widespread and are clinical issues very seriously affecting the disabled?