The rest-home where a 94-year-old woman had a fall and died has accepted its miscommunication was a "significant factor" in the cause of her death.
The woman, referred to by the health and disability commissioner as "Mrs A", had been in the care of Calvary Hospital Southland Ltd (Calvary) since 2015.
In 2018, two staff helped her to walk despite directions from a physiotherapist that the woman was not to be mobilised.
She was deemed unfit for surgery, and two days after the incident she died.
Yesterday, Calvary Hospital board chairman Fergus More said the hospital "unreservedly" accepted the findings of the health and disability commissioner’s office and the coroner.
"The hospital failed to follow the physiotherapist’s direction that the patient could not walk, which failure by the hospital became a significant factor in the cause of the patient’s passing," Mr More said.
He said Calvary had formally apologised to Mrs A’s family and since the incident had implemented processes to avoid a similar incident occurring.
"Calvary prides itself in its name and reputation employing staff with a high skill level who enjoy working in such a supportive environment, under the skill and leadership of strong management," Mr More said.
