Resident s decline was accelerated by problems at her Lower Hutt rest home, son claims
22 Dec, 2020 07:19 PM
4 minutes to read
Woburn Masonic Care home in Hutt has been at the centre of an investigation into complaints of abuse and neglect. Photo / Supplied
RNZ
By Phil Pennington, of RNZ
The son of a woman who died aged 100 in a troubled Lower Hutt rest home claims its systemic problems absolutely accelerated her decline .
The Woburn Masonic Care home in the Hutt s wealthiest suburb is having its management overhauled amid an official investigation into five complaints of abuse and neglect.
Hutt Valley District Health Board has now intervened to force change at the Masonic Villages Trust, eight months after the DHB was alerted by the Health and Disability Commissioner.
The son of a woman who died aged 100 in a troubled Lower Hutt resthome claims its systemic problems accelerated her decline.
Woburn Masonic Care home in Hutt has been at the centre of an investigation into complaints of abuse and neglect.
Photo: Woburn Masonic Care Trust
The Woburn Masonic Care home in the Hutt s wealthiest suburb is having its management overhauled amid an official investigation into five complaints of abuse and neglect.
Hutt Valley District Health Board has now intervened to force change at the Masonic Villages Trust, eight months after the DHB was alerted by the Health and Disability Commissioner.
The son of a woman who died aged 100 in a troubled Lower Hutt resthome claims its systemic problems accelerated her decline.
The Woburn Masonic Care home in the Hutt s wealthiest suburb is having its management overhauled amid an official investigation into five complaints of abuse and neglect.
Hutt Valley District Health Board has now intervened to force change at the Masonic Villages Trust, eight months after the DHB was alerted by the Health and Disability Commissioner.
The DHB was separately made aware of the issues around the culture and managing of Woburn last year.
After meeting residents and staff this month, the DHB spurred the trust to bring in a new temporary manager, as well as take on two DHB personnel in clinical support.
DHB investigators met with residents and staff on 2 December resulting in a briefing to the health board. The verbal report raised concerns for the DHB and they asked us to make some interim management changes while the report is finalised and details are worked through with all parties, said a memo from Masonic Care chief executive Warick Dunn.
A new temporary manager to provide additional management support and short-term clinical management support from the DHB were being brought in.
The home has added a Masonic Trusts employee in regular management, and two DHB personnel in clinical support.
The final audit report is expected to be completed by 20 January.
Photo: Woburn Masonic Care Trust
Dunn said it was entirely coincidental the trust was now proposing to close down the 53-year-old home for two years for a $20 million rebuild.
The rooms were incredibly small , lacked ensuites, and Covid-19 had brought home problems with constrained facilities, he said.
The rest home s 45 staff, 57 residents and their families were told yesterday of the plan, Dunn said. Consultation will continue for two weeks.
A letter from Dunn to residents yesterday said the aim was to build a 61-room rest home, as its commitment to carry on providing care cannot be in the current building .