After a year-long investigation, Ombudsman David McGee has ordered the Ministry of Health to release rest home inspection reports to Consumer.

The results of the reports – many of which make disturbing reading – are outlined in our Rest homes report.

The reports stem from the ministry's unannounced inspections of rest homes in 2009. We first requested the documents in March 2010. The ministry released some reports but removed the names of the homes because it claimed naming them would negatively affect their "commercial position". We complained to the Ombudsman.

In his decision, David McGee stated the ministry should not have refused to release the full reports to us. He said consumers had a right to know whether private facilities met required standards: "It is my opinion that there is a strong public interest in assuring the public that facilities which receive public funding to care for vulnerable people are held properly accountable for the provision of a service that meets quality and safety requirements. The disclosure of inspection reports is a critical element of meeting that interest."

Minister of Health Tony Ryall told Consumer that improving aged care was one of his priorities. He said the government had significantly improved the rest home auditing process "making it more open to residents and families, with more information available online".

But so far published information doesn't include unannounced inspection reports. We believe these reports should be available in full. We've therefore put copies of 24 inspection reports released to us on our website. 12 of the reports result from inspections in 2009 and 12 from inspections since January 2010. The reports are available free.

More from consumer.org.nz

• Rest homes - our full report including the 24 inspection reports and a free downloadable checklist for choosing a rest home.

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