Audits of Focus 2000 underway

21 March 2006

Audits of Focus 2000 underway

A series of audits of the disability support provider Focus 2000 are now underway and so far two of the audits have started and are in the process of being completed, the Ministry of Health says.

Any allegations that have been raised either publicly or privately with either the Ministry of Health or the Minister of Health are to be investigated through this series of audits. The Ministry has undertaken to initiate all audits by the end of the financial year in June.

The Ministry's Deputy Director General of Disability Services, Geraldine Woods, says additional audits of the organisation's finances, along with an organisational review of Focus 2000's business practices have started and the draft report is currently being written.

"The reports of these two audits are likely to be finalised within about two months, taking into account comments from Focus 2000," Geraldine Woods says.

In addition a number of audits reviewing the quality of care provided in Focus 2000's residential homes will be undertaken before 30 June 2006.

These routine quality audits have been scheduled since the beginning of this financial year.

"Its likely that the findings of the quality audit reports would be available around October," Geraldine Woods says.

The Ministry of Health is also continuing to meet with Focus 2000 on a weekly basis to make sure that all necessary steps are being taken to ensure a quality service is provided.

ENDS

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