Son not told mother badly hurt in rest home

A man shared his heartbreaking experience of his mother needing a leg amputation after staying at Elmwood Village in Manurewa, Auckland. The rest home had previously been criticized by the Health and Disability Commissioner for incidents of neglect.

Oceania Healthcare, the operator of Elmwood Village, acknowledged the past complaints and stated that they had taken steps to improve their operations and ensure better care for residents.

The recent HDC report highlighted a case where a bedbound woman suffered serious burns due to her bed being placed too close to a heater without a guard. This incident led to the need for a skin graft procedure.

Following this report, Andrew Ashe came forward with his own story of his mother’s time at Elmwood Village in 2023. He revealed that his mother had sustained serious injuries, including a fractured femur that eventually led to the amputation of her leg. Ashe expressed disappointment in not being informed about these incidents promptly.

Despite Ashe’s complaint not meeting the threshold for a formal investigation by the HDC, the Commissioner identified shortcomings in the care provided at Elmwood Village and recommended improvements to prevent similar situations in the future.

Oceania Healthcare responded to Ashe’s concerns by emphasizing the changes they had implemented since the incidents, including enhanced staff training, incident management protocols, and improved communication with families. They acknowledged the need for better communication with families and apologized for any distress caused.

Ashe expressed the importance of trust in aged care facilities and called for accountability from Elmwood Village. He mentioned the possibility of financial compensation but emphasized that his primary goal was to ensure that such incidents do not happen to other families.

Oceania Healthcare stated their commitment to addressing Ashe’s concerns privately and confidentially, focusing on finding a resolution that could include financial compensation if deemed appropriate.

Overall, Ashe’s story sheds light on the need for transparency, communication, and accountability in the aged care sector to ensure the well-being of residents and peace of mind for their families.