Two health and disability service providers in Auckland have agreed to pay compensation for unlawfully keeping a patient in a secure dementia unit for more than a year.
The Human Rights Review Tribunal has made declarations against Taikura Trust and Aranui Home and Hospital for failures of care and breaches of the woman's rights.
The 43-year-old patient had a complex history, which included severe psychological trauma, depression and alcohol abuse.
The tribunal found that the Taikura Trust had breached the woman's rights by failing to respect her dignity and independence and failing to co-operate with other providers to ensure quality and continuity of services.
Aranui Home and Hospital was also found to have breached her rights.
The woman has since died so the confidential payment will go to her daughter.
The Health and Disability Commissioner says the case should send a clear message to the sector that it must get the basics right.
