Dr Paul Hutchison MP
National Party Disability Issues Spokesman
09 May 2007
Disabled woman could have ‘starved to death’
A National-instigated inquiry has revealed shocking claims of abuse and systemic failures within the disability sector,
says National’s Disability spokesman, Dr Paul Hutchison.
“It’s appalling to hear stories of people being starved or left without carers.
“These sorts of things should not be happening in New Zealand.
“The Labour Government is not living up to its promises and disabled people are being let down.
“A year ago the office of the Health and Disability Commissioner said the sector suffered ‘systemic failures’. What
we’re seeing now is that little has changed.
“Agencies don’t have accountability, there’s a workforce shortage and a total lack of coordination between funding
streams.
“All this creates endless difficulties for disabled people and their families seeking support.
“There are obvious problems in the sector, which this ongoing inquiry is revealing – and they need to be fixed.”
ENDS