“Where clients have received letters to inform them their services might have to be reduced this was concerning for the clients and they worried about what might happen, especially when no alternative arrangements were discussed with clients.” (Submission) On 1 March 2022 an apology was issued for the “deep distress” caused to disabled people and their whānau by this letter but this was only sent to providers to disseminate. But many submissions highlighted that the damage had already been done. Concerns remain about the ability for government agencies to plan for the impacts of Omicron in a way that ensures the rights of disabled people and their whānau are protected: “The intention to communicate high-level information to manage the impact of critical workforce shortages overlooked the nuance and detail required in preparation of support for disabled people at this time.” (Submission) “This situation especially exposed disabled people that were not able to draw on family and community supports to compensate for these gaps.” (Pacific peoples submission) Home and community support services during Omicron have in fact been disrupted for many disabled people and their whānau, often without discussions on existing alternative arrangements: “Home support services have been regularly disrupted with no prior notification, and often no follow up either. Family are not informed that the service cannot or has not been provided until well after the agreed time, if at all. For many personal home support services that can have serious implications – missed medications, not checking food and nutrition intake.” (Submission) “For some tāngata whaikaha Māori and their whānau their regular services have been reduced without consultation or untrained, unsuitable support workers have been provided. Disabled people have declined those unsuitable support workers as they are unsafe to have in their homes but no suitable replacement staff have been provided.” (Māori submission) Views were also expressed in submissions that COVID-19 was being blamed for a wide range of disruptions: “Caregiving agencies [are] blaming everything on COVID.” (Submission) 31