Rest home worker accused of assaults

A Blenheim rest home worker is being investigated by police about alleged assaults on dementia patients.

A complaint was laid with police about several alleged minor assaults on the patients at Aberleigh Rest Home, The Marlborough Express reported.

Staff members alerted management to the alleged abuse, said Aberleigh director Alison Hume, who bought the home with her business partner Jim Haines in January, this year.

"When something like this happens, it is important to open up and get the community involved. We do not want to sweep this under the carpet."

Constable Michelle Stagg, of Blenheim police, said police received a complaint from Aberleigh management about a series of assaults on dementia patients by one female staff member between October 20 and November 13.

Inquiries were continuing and no charges had yet been laid.

- NZPA