KEY POINTS:
The Auckland rest home, where a patient was gagged with tape to keep her quiet, will be closed from Friday.
The Ministry of Health has served closure orders on the Belhaven rest home in Epsom and a cessation order on its nurse manager, which means she cannot provide health services.
The manager, a registered nurse, has also been reported to the Nursing Council for investigation.
Auckland District Health Board last week terminated its contract with the rest home and six residents were moved out.
Police arrested a 60-year-old former employee and charged her with assault over the gagging incident.
A Ministry of Health report spoke of "overwhelming deficiencies" at the home, which marketed itself as being for people with high needs.
Ministry quality and safety manager Rose Wall said it had issued the closure order in the interests of public safety.
"In the interests of public safety, we felt it necessary to take these steps. As our investigation has progressed, we have become increasingly concerned about the situation at Belhaven.
"Closing a healthcare facility and issuing a cessation order against the nurse manager is a serious decision, and one that has not been taken lightly."
All orders take effect from Friday evening.
The premises will no longer be able to operate as a rest home and the business cannot operate any health services.
Ms Wall said that the Ministry of Health investigation was initiated after the gagging incident "but during the course of the investigation it became clear the rest home was not meeting the required standards to provide an appropriate environment and safe care for the residents".
The Ministry investigation found residents' rights had been breached and there were incidents of abuse. The investigation detailed:
* a lack of adequate clinical governance
* a lack of hands on support, guidance and supervision for staff
* a lack of evidence to show that processes and systems were in place to ensure the safe delivery of services and manage risks
* a lack of evidence of adequate assessment, planning and evaluation of care
* inadequate and inappropriate provision for the management of escalating behaviours
* a lack of follow-up of complaints
* issues with staff education and competency.
Belhaven promoted themselves as a Rest Home specialising in care of older people with dementia, mental health consumers and consumers suffering from traumatic brain injuries.
Ms Wall said there were also issues with the most basic areas of hygiene, cleanliness, food safety and building maintenance.
- NZPA
