New Zealand / Regional

Lock-out confirmed at rest home

06:08 am on 14 July 2008

The Ministry of Health has confirmed an elderly man was locked outside the Belhaven rest home in Epsom in the middle of the night for being too loud.

The new incident came to light as the ministry investigated an incident when a woman at the home had her mouth taped shut.

A former Belhaven employee was arrested and charged with common assault on Friday.

The ministry says it is satisfied with the resthome's own investigation into the man being locked out.

It says a report into the woman's treatment is due to be released early this week.

The Auckland District Health Board terminated its contract with the rest home on Thursday, two weeks after a tradesman photographed a resident with her mouth taped shut. The photograph was published in a Sunday newspaper.

Seven out of the 10 residents at Belhaven have now been moved to other premises.

However, the ministry has not yet decided whether Belhaven's certification will be withdrawn.