Rest home under investigation after run of complaints

Last Thursday ministry staff carried out an unannounced inspection of the rest home. Photo / Thinkstock

A Hamilton rest home is being investigated after residents complained of poor care.

One elderly woman was allegedly left on a toilet for 45 minutes, had her wedding and engagement rings stolen, and was admitted to hospital with dehydration and bladder and chest infections.

The family of the 95-year-old moved her to another home and are laying a complaint against Maeroa Lodge.

But the Ministry of Health has already received eight complaints about the rest home since March last year, including five laid with the Waikato District Health Board this year.

Both organisations say they are investigating.

The complaints, made by the families of residents, covered staffing ratios and availability of staff to assist residents when needed, staff attitudes toward residents and family members, food quality, wound care, lost property, GP services and room temperatures.

Last Thursday ministry staff carried out an unannounced inspection of the rest home and found its owner, Radius Residential Care, had not fully addressed issues identified in a spot audit in January.

MOH chief medical officer Dr Don Mackie said although there was no immediate risk to the safety of residents, Radius had been required to take corrective action over its food services and environment, service continuity, management of complaints, and quality and risk management.

Implementation of the corrective actions would be monitored by the Waikato DHB.

Radius Residential Care managing director Brien Cree said most of the complaints had come from one family, but Radius had investigated every one.