A severely intellectually disabled man was left to watch television for hours and left in the car as his caregiver went fishing.
The Health and Disability Commissioner has called on an Auckland provider of home-based support services to make serious changes after the family of a severely intellectually disabled man complained about its care of him.
A report released yesterday described how the victim - a 35-year-old referred to as Mr B - was assigned a caregiver from Pasifika Integrated Health Care to assist with daily activities in the community for two days a week. However, an investigation found the caregiver had neglected his client - taking him back to his house to watch television for long periods, sometimes while the caregiver slept. He also left the man alone in his vehicle as he went fishing or shopping.
Deputy Commissioner Rose Wall said the service provider was in breach of the Code of Health and Disability Consumers' Rights in the care they provided for the man. She said the caregiver had failed in his job to provide the 35-year-old with stimulating activities that helped him to be a part of the wider community.
The investigation also revealed the caregiver had engaged in "rough play" with the victim - pinching his ears and hitting his head. The fact that the caregiver spoke limited English and did not speak the victim's first language was also an issue.
