Caregiver inquiry widened

The Minister of Health has called for further investigations into the Cerebral Palsy Society, which was forced to repay $2.5 million for "abnormal profit-taking".

Pete Hodgson confirmed to the Weekend Herald last night that he had asked Health Ministry officials to investigate new complaints and allegations against Focus 2000.

It was revealed this week that Focus 2000 - the business arm of the society, one of Auckland's largest disabled care providers - had been forced to repay money after ministry audits.

Quality audits from 2004 included allegations by family members of unsafe conditions and medical mistreatment of clients in residential homes run by Focus 2000.

One of the reasons for the audit, known as an IBA or "issues-based audit", was that the company failed to report two deaths of clients.

Mr Hodgson said last night that he had became aware of "additional information" yesterday morning.

Officials from his office had met those from the Ministry of Health at 8.10am.

The ministry now needed to investigate new complaints and allegations. Ministry officials would meet Focus 2000 next week.

The group is one of the Auckland region's largest providers of physical disability services in homes and residential facilities.

Focus 2000 has repeatedly rejected criticisms. Its chief executive, Anne Murphy, said allegations that surfaced last week were "completely untrue".

The draft reports were "totally biased", and the officials had not checked any of the claims with the organisation, she said.

According to the draft audit, Focus 2000 generated significant operating surpluses: $2.2 million in 2003 from a total income of almost $12.5 million.

The September 2004 audit report was released under the Official Information Act.

It showed that between October 14, 2002, and June 22, 2003, Focus 2000 invoiced the ministry for 69,301 more hours of home care and personal help than it had provided.