Appropriate Process and Outcome with Closure

Appropriate Process and Outcome with Closure of Blue Dove [NZ Aged Care Association]

The NZ Aged Care Association believes the planned closure of the Blue Dove Hospital in Counties Manaukau has been handled appropriately, following due process and taking into account the best interests of the residents.

"This facility has been given the chance to improve and has been unable to meet the required standards. As a result, this DHB has acted appropriately by putting in a DHB quality manager to ensure resident safety until a planned closure can take place in January next year" said Martin Taylor CEO of the New Zealand Aged Care Association.

"More importantly the DHB are working closely with the residents and family to ensure their needs are met and they find another facility where they will be happy."

The comparisons between the closure of Blue Dove by Counties Manakau DHB and the closure of Rose A Lea by MidCentral DHB could not be more stark.

CMDHB has had a number of concerns over a period of time including complaints, various audit findings and monitoring reports. The DHB has worked hard with the facility but has now agreed with Guardian Trust that the facility will close.

MidCentral DHB, on the other hand, closed Rose A Lea before the audit report was written, did not give the facility any chance to improve and removed residents within 24 hours against their wishes.

"There is no place in the aged care sector for providers who do not meet the standards and do not provide a happy environment. Fortunately, the vast majority of New Zealand's 730 facilities do just that".

The NZ Aged Care Association (under its former name HealthCare Providers NZ) declined membership to this facility in 2007.

ENDS