The new chair of Hawke's Bay District Health Board says staff should have realised the impact of a letter sent to hundreds of elderly telling them their home help would be cut, while telling them housework was a good way to stay fit.
The DHB is now reviewing its communication policy after the letter was sent to 605 people last week.
It has also apologised and reinstated its services.
Speaking publicly for the first time about the incident, chair Shayne Walker, told RNZ reporter Anusha Bradley, the letter was disappointing, and he wants to ensure it never happens again.
