Consumer Rights, Advocacy and Support

Ngā Tikanga O Te Kiritaki, Mahi Taunaki Me Ta Tautoko

Purpose / To ensure consumers receive services of an appropriate standard that complies with the consumer rights legislation
Scope / All staff involved in service provision
Performance Indicator / Staff demonstrate knowledge and understanding of consumer rights and obligations, and incorporate them as part of their everyday practice

Consumer & their Family/Whānau

The consumer will be provided information on the Code of Health and Disability Services Consumers’ Rights (the Code), the complaints system and the National Health and Disability Advocacy Service.

The Code, complaints system and advocacy services will be explained, discussed and clarified with the consumerand their family/whānau of choice where appropriate.

Information will be provided (at the earliest opportunity) in languages and formats that suit the consumers’ needs which may include but not limited to:

use of an interpreter

DVD presentation with subtitles, in New Zealand sign language and with audio description

leaflets in alternative languages.

Consumers will have access to family/whānau and other visitors of their choice where the safety of the consumer and others is not compromised.

Staff

All newly engaged staff will receive education which will include an orientation and ongoing training related to the Code, complaints system and advocacy services.

Education will be relevant to the staffmember’s role and level of contact with the consumer and family/whānau.

Ongoing Provision of Information

Throughout service delivery; opportunities will be provided to the consumers and their family/whānau (of choice) to discuss the Code and/or their rights to an independent advocate. This may include but not limited to:

on request by the consumer or their family/whānau

on receipt of a complaint

following an incident or accident

following any consumer or family/whānau feedback as appropriate

during or on review of service delivery.

Staff will facilitate access to a Māori advocate for consumers who required this service.

Breaches in the consumer’s rights, advocacy and support will be reported using the incident/accident reporting processes.

Opportunities will be made available for a health and disability advocate to present to consumers programmes such as Speaking-Up, Tell Someone, You’re Not Alone and Self Advocacy.

Environment

The Code (poster) is displayed within the facility and located .

Leaflets on the Code and advocacy services are located .

The consumer and their family/whānau will be provided the opportunity to provide feedback as a means of improving outcomes. Feedback will be sought by appropriate methods which include but not limited to:

consumer and family/whānau surveys

feedback/suggestion box which is located

complaints process

consumer meetings

family/whānau meetings

review of care delivery

opportunistic feedback.

SERVICE / CONTACT DETAILS
Health and Disability Advocacy / Free Phone: 0800 555 050
Free Fax: 0800 2 SUPPORT / 0800 2787 7678
Email:
Tauranga Advocacy Service / Tauranga: 07 577 1715 – Emma Ngawhare
Tauranga Email:
Health Consumer Service
Advocacy & support for consumers who have concerns about their health or disability. / PO Box 4023
Mount Maunganui 3149
Phone: 07 575 3398 / 07 575 6906
Freephone: 0800 801 482
Fax: 07 575 8100
Email:
Age Concern Elder Abuse and Neglect Services / Age Concern offers free and confidential service to help
177A Fraser Street
Tauranga
Phone: 07 578 2856 / 07 578 2631
Fax: 07 578 2015
Email:

Reference: Health and Disability Services (Core) Standards. NZS 8134.1:2008.

Aged Care Service Agreement for the Provision of Aged Related Residential Care.

Version: / Issue Date: / Review Date: / Authorisation:

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