The nursing home’s owner says while "technically correct", the report did not tell the whole story and the published document neglected feedback he had provided.
A surveillance audit of Castlewood Nursing Home, conducted by Central Region’s Technical Advisory Services Limited on behalf of the Southern District Health Board in December last year, outlined failings in four of six outcome areas when measured against the Health and Disability Standards.
The audit found Castlewood was lacking in the areas of consumer rights, organisational management, continuum of service delivery and safe and appropriate environment.
In areas of restraint minimisations and safe practice, and infection prevention and control, Castlewood met the full requirements under the Health and Disability Standards.
The audit outlined concerns around a lack of residents’ privacy due to no locks on communal toilets, confidential resident information - both on computer and hard copy - was not locked or filed appropriately to prevent access by unauthorised persons, and wound dressing was not conducted in private.
While invoices and payroll were reviewed by a contracted accountant, auditors were advised some residents’ comfort funds were deposited into the owner’s bank account for disbursement.
The funds were then managed through a "petty cash" type manual record, a cash envelope with a large sum of cash and loosely filed receipts, the report stated.
The report raised concerns about staffing levels, insufficient registered nurse coverage for safe resident care, not all required staff having first aid certificates, controlled medications not consistently recorded and expired medications not consistently returned to the pharmacy.
While day-to-day running of Castlewood was the responsibility of the facility manager, he did not have input into the development and maintenance of the duty roster, or the approval of time sheets, the report said.
Castlewood owner John Diehl acknowledged the report outlined nine areas where Castlewood needed to take corrective actions. These had been completed and would be reported back to the health board on Monday, he said.
Like many New Zealand rest-homes, Castlewood had issues recruiting and retaining staff, in particular registered nurses.
Two registered nurses had moved on before the audit and Mr Diehl said he notified the health board there was no registered nurse and he was trying to recruit.
However, a registered nurse was now employed for 40 hours a week and he maintained while not ideal, the nursing home always had enough staff cover as people worked overtime.
SDHB health of older people portfolio manager Sharon Adler said the health board had received some complaints about Castlewood and concerns from complaints were shared with auditors before the audit.
