Homes report ‘too bold’

Press, 22 October 1984, Page 5

Homes report ‘too bold’

PA Auckland A social worker in Auckland has been told to rewrite her report on rest homes because her first report was “too bold.” She had recorded her observations and comments on some disturbing aspects discovered in the rest

homes.

The Social Welfare Department’s head office in Wellington returned Mrs Sue Stiffs report, saying it was not acceptable in its original form, that some of its recommendations were too bold, and that she should amend it.

Mrs Stiff’s report was based bn visits to 60 of Auckland’s 140 rest homes

since June 1. In her report, which was destined for the desk of the Minister of Social Welfare, Mrs Hercus, Mrs Stiff said that although most of the 60 homes she had checked were satisfactory, there were some in which she “would not be happy to leave an elderly relative.” Mrs Stiff said the department had refused to release her report because of “inaccuracies.” She was not prepared to say whether the decision had angered her. “I cannot comment,” she said. “I just have to accept that I am working within the confines of a Government department.”