A blind hospital patient did not receive meals because nobody told them their the meals were there, the Otago and Southland District Health Board's disability support advisory committee meeting heard yesterday.
It was assumed the person was not hungry, so the meals were removed.
The example, which did not specify which Otago hospital was involved, was one of 14 issues highlighted by the Pan Disability Agency Management Group in a discussion document and presentation expressing concerns about the priority given by the Otago District Health Board to issues relating to the disabled and aged.
Speaking after the meeting one of the group, Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind manager Adrienne Henderson said such instances were not uncommon.
Another group member, Age Concern executive officer Susan Davidson, said she knew of a very recent Dunedin Hospital case where a person whose hearing and eyesight was impaired following a stroke was not assisted with meals.
Family members attended at meal times to ensure the patient was fed.
The group, which has been meeting for about eight months, called for the committee to liaise with it to improve the board's communication with those involved in the disability/aged care sectors so it could better meet the needs of people.
CCS Disability Action southern regional manager Paul Martin told the meeting the group was not trying to extract more money out of the board, rather trying to get a " better bang for the buck" and better outcomes for patients.
The group, which also has representatives of the Community Care Trust, IDEA services, Disability Information and Support at the University of Otago, PACT, and the Disability Information Service, told the committee it was important the board appoint a person in its planning and funding division to ensure the needs of disabled/elderly people accessing hospital and board contracted services were appropriately met.
The group's presentation sparked a lengthy discussion by the committee in which Otago-Southland board chief executive Brian Rousseau clashed with some members when he questioned the need for a workshop to discuss the board's strategy and delivery of services.
Committee member Helen Algar said the workshop would be an opportunity to look at strategic priorities.
The committee agreed to encourage the Pan group to organise a workshop between the interested parties to discuss strategic direction and delivery of services.
