Disabled man's caregiver to face human rights hearing

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A caregiver who left a severely disabled man alone in a hot van until he wet himself has been ordered to face a Human Rights Tribunal hearing.

Deputy Health and Disability Commissioner Tania Thomas today found the caregiver, known as Ms A, showed "flagrant disregard" for a physically and mentally impaired man's wellbeing.

The wheelchair-bound man, known as Mr B, was under Ms A's care when he was left strapped in a van outside her home on August 21.

Her neighbour called police at 11:33am after seeing the man trapped for what she reported as a two-hour period and again at 1:45 after seeing the van still in the driveway.

Officers arrived to find the man squirming around inside the hot and stuffy van.

He had wet himself and could not respond to their questions because of his disabilities.

Police escorted the man back to his disability service provider's house, where they were told Ms A's conduct was unacceptable.

In her judgement today, Ms Thomas said Ms A had showed a lack of respect for Mr B and had failed to care for him adequately.

"Ms A's conduct demonstrated flagrant disregard for Mr B's wellbeing, and breached his right to be treated with respect. In my opinion, Ms A's breaches... were serious departures from expected standards."

She ordered Ms A to face a Human Rights Review Tribunal hearing.

The tribunal has the power to award compensation or order exemplary damages payments.