KEY POINTS:
An Auckland rest home being investigated over the gagging of a female resident has been assigned a temporary manager to oversee its day-to-day running.
The Health Ministry is investigating Belhaven Rest Home in Epsom after a tradesman reported last Friday that the woman, in her 70s, had medical tape stuck across her mouth.
The Auckland District Health Board said today that it was allowed to appoint a temporary manager when a provider breached the terms of its aged residential care contract.
ADHB chief planning and funding officer Dr Denis Jury said that, as more information had came to light, it was felt prudent to make the appointment to ensure the well-being of the residents.
"In this instance there are significant concerns regarding clinical governance of the rest home," he said.
The temporary manager took over this morning and would continue in the role until the Health Ministry had completed its inquiry and appropriate ongoing clinical governance was re-established.
Ministry manager of quality and safety Rose Wall said appointing a manager to a rest home was not a common move.
However, the ADHB and the ministry agreed there was sufficient evidence that a change in governance was necessary to protect the health and safety of residents while the review was taking place.
"The appointment of a temporary manager in this facility is a significant step," Ms Wall said.
"The ministry is confident that the vast majority of residents in rest homes across New Zealand receive a dignified and appropriate standard of care."
As part of the ministry's investigation, ADHB staff yesterday completed assessment of the 12 residents at Belhaven.
The investigation is expected to be completed this week, with the findings to be discussed with Belhaven's owner and with residents' families.
On Monday, members of the woman's family said they were shocked by what had happened, but they did not want her moved, saying she had been well looked after in her three years there.
- NZPA