Greater oversight
● The Office of the Ombudsman’s watchdog role will be expanded to include privately run dementia facilities and detainees in court cells.
The number of New Zealanders with dementia is projected to nearly treble to about 170,000 by 2050. getting a puppy, which he had had since April. The dog is being cared for by his parents.
He died overnight on board the cruise ship and his body was found in his cabin on the final morning of the three-day cruise.
His family knew something was wrong when they heard a medical emergency announced over the ship’s loudspeakers, calling staff to Rikki’s cabin number.
They claim the room was cold due to a broken air conditioning system, a claim disputed by the company.
“My son weighed 44 kilos, he was frozen on a normal day,” Hotene said.
The family claim that once on board the cruise they weren’t able to have Rikki moved from the sixth floor to be nearer his relatives, who were in rooms on levels nine and 10.
His sister, Kahla Hotene, said staff told her the rooms were full.
Because of his health problems Rikki needed privacy and his own bed, and swapping into a room full of family members wasn’t an option.
P&O had wiped all bills relating to medical treatment on board, including a hefty resuscitation fee, and were arranging to refund the price of Rikki’s ticket. But to Kahla, it didn’t feel like enough.
“It’s hard. I’m 26 and he’s been my best friend since I was a baby,” she said. “He just fought everything. Every sickness he got he fought it.”
A P&O spokesman said the company’s care team had provided compassionate support for Rikki’s family as they grieved. “Our onboard team did everything possible to respond to the guest’s needs.”