A Lower Hutt resthome is being investigated over complaints of physical and verbal abuse, neglect and intimidation of residents and staff. The Hutt Valley District Health Board is looking into five complaints at the Woburn Masonic Care home – four last year and one this year. One unidentified staff member emailed the Health and Disability Commissioner, warning that “someone will die needlessly and before their time if someone does not look more closely at this resthome”. “We continue to investigate all of these matters to ensure the safety of the residents,” DHB chief executive Fionnagh Dougan told RNZ in a statement. The Hutt Valley DHB has not spelt out how it is ensuring everyone is safe, saying only that it was “working with” the home.

Source: Stuff October 20, 2020 01:18 UTC