11 Jul 2013

Consumer defends aged care report

7:06 pm on 11 July 2013

Consumer New Zealand is rejecting criticism that a report it produced on aged care is inaccurate and misleading.

The consumer rights watchdog published an article saying while there are deficiencies in rest home monitoring, 385 aged care facilities have been found to have more than minor shortfalls.

The report relies on audits published by the Ministry of Health dating back to 2007. Of the 634 audits, Consumer said only 18% met all the criteria of core standards, while 55% only partially met the criteria.

The Aged Care Association says failing to meet the standards doesn't mean a rest home is providing a poor service because they are deliberately set too high.

But Consumer rejects that argument, saying it is mandatory for providers to meet the standards and it is ridiculous for the association to suggest that they are only aspirational targets.

It says the standards are attainable and the Auditor-General has even suggested they should be raised.