Dr Paul Hutchison MP

National Party Disability Issues Spokesman

10 September 2007

Disabled dumped into suburbs by Labour

The Deputy Health and Disability Commissioner's findings that Spectrum Care breached 'Code of Conduct of Consumer Rights' obligations in the Guy Tuffin case is serious enough, but the Minister and the Health Ministry should also take some blame, says National's Disability Issues spokesman, Paul Hutchison.

"The report highlights poor processes, discipline, and lack of professionalism when a blind and partially disabled man was found under a cold shower, 'very cold, and his lips and feet had a bluish appearance'.

"It is unacceptable this man was left in a shower on his own.

"It is intolerable that in another incident he was left to sleep 'on a urine-soaked mattress and faeces-smeared mattress for three weeks'.

"Unbelievably, Spectrum Care had not thought to have a replacement mattress."

Dr Hutchison says it is astonishing that the commissioner's report devotes only one paragraph to the Ministry of Health audit of Spectrum Care.

"The audit found 'significant medication errors', 'no documented evidence of remedial action or retraining', and 'a culture of under-reporting'.

"The fact that only one paragraph of the report is about the audit, seems to indicate that the commissioner is not prepared to criticise the Minister Pete Hodgson or the Ministry."

Dr Hutchison says a major underlying problem relates to the Minister and the Government's unrelenting policy of allowing high-and complex-needs disabled people to be dumped into totally unsuited suburban houses with unskilled carers.

"The Government must take some responsibility for the systemic abuse of disabled people that is being reported right around the country."

ENDS

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