30 January 2002
Tupuna Villa patients have been used as pawns in the Hillmorton Hospital, Christchurch, dispute the Health Select
Committee heard today, National Disability and Associate Health Spokesperson Dr Lynda Scott said today.
"Director of Mental Health Dr David Chaplow told the committee there was no formal assessment process to define the
appropriate placement for the 37 residents of Hillmorton.
"The ward was shut without the Minister of Health approving the closure and these patients were transferred out to rest
homes with little consultation. Even though the ward is reopening many patients remain in the community. "This is a
clear example of patients being used as pawns in an industrial dispute and it is totally unacceptable.
"The Ministry of Health tells me many of the patients are happy in their new abode, but are they safe, and are the other
residents of the rest home safe? These questions can only be answered when these patients are comprehensively assessed
and their families and carers have been consulted. "Canterbury District Health Board members are responsible for
ensuring all possible steps are taken to ensure patient safety, but they have ignored the assessment process that
ensures standards and quality of care are met. "It is rich for a Government that has preached higher standards for
Health Minister Annette King to turn a blind eye to this. She must take responsibility when protocols are not followed
and she must answer why standards were waived in this case and whether this will now become the norm," Dr Scott said.
Ends