12. JO GOODHEW (National—Aoraki) Link to this
to the Minister of Health
What are the names of the five rest homes that he believes are potentially in the same league as Belhaven Rest Home in Auckland?
Hon DAVID CUNLIFFE (Minister of Health) Link to this
I want to make it clear that at no time did I suggest that there are other rest homes “in the same league” as Belhaven Rest Home, potentially or otherwise. The level of care of, and the lack of respect given to, residents at the Belhaven Rest Home were absolutely unacceptable. That is why the Ministry of Health and the district health board moved quickly to shut it down. Failing to meet basic standards of care in any rest home will result in strong and appropriate action.
Why does the Minister not take action now to introduce spot auditing and a comprehensive review of Labour’s failing auditing processes?
Hon DAVID CUNLIFFE Link to this
In the first instance, I have already asked for such a review and have proposals under way. In the second instance, I draw the House’s attention to National’s discussion paper on aged residential care, where the only real proposal it makes about auditing is to lower compliance costs.
Jill Pettis
Sue MoroneyHon DAVID CUNLIFFE Link to this
The Ministry of Health acted immediately and its officials were at the rest home within hours of the ministry receiving the complaint. Failure to treat our elderly with the respect and care that they deserve will not be tolerated. I encourage those who have complaints about the care that they or their loved ones have received to contact the Ministry of Health on 0800 113 813. We will not sit idly by when there are serious failures, and those responsible will be held to account.
Barbara StewartWhat action is being taken to ensure that basic standards of cleanliness, hygiene, and food safety are maintained for residents, given that rest home managers are always advised in advance of planned audits?
Hon DAVID CUNLIFFE Link to this
District health boards currently contract a range of assessment companies, which undertake thorough audits according to agreed specifications. Those auditors themselves are currently under an assessment regime whereby they are reviewed for effectiveness by the district health boards and the Ministry of Health.
How widespread does the Minister think this problem of the safety of residents of rest homes is, and how has he come to his conclusions about residents’ safety?
Hon DAVID CUNLIFFE Link to this
I think it is important to state firstly that although the Government has zero tolerance of elder abuse, we believe that in most cases rest home care facilities are appropriate and well managed. I think it is unfortunate if the member or anyone else is attempting to spread by innuendo any material that would undermine legitimate and well-run businesses. It is also very important that we ensure that the auditing processes are appropriate, and I have already said to the member that I have a review under way on that matter.
Has the Minister received any reports from the Ministry of Health of any concerns that it has about the safety of rest home residents; if so, what do those reports say?
Hon DAVID CUNLIFFE Link to this
Yes; as I have said publicly, I have asked the ministry for a full report on any concerns that it may have about rest homes. The point I made earlier is that it is not true to say that I have said that five other rest homes are in the same league as Belhaven Rest Home. I am advised that there are no other rest homes about which similar reports have been received.
Why, after 9 long years of this Labour Government, are we seeing such obvious failures in the Government’s auditing system, despite growth in Labour’s audit bureaucracy?
Hon DAVID CUNLIFFE Link to this
The member’s last comment begins to chime rather well with the complaint in her party’s discussion document about compliance costs. Can the member please come clean and tell the House whether she is asking for tougher auditing standards, or for weaker auditing standards as is called for in National’s elder care paper?
I seek leave to table an extract from National’s elder care discussion document, where the party calls for a reduction—