The purpose of the Health and Disability Commissioner is to promote and protect the rights of consumers as set out in the Code of Health and Disability Services Consumers’ Rights. This includes resolving complaints in a fair, timely, and effective way.
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The Code of Health and Disability Services Consumers’ Rights:
You have:
- The right to be treated with respect.
- The right to be treated fairly.
- The right to dignity and independence.
- The right to have good care and support that fits your needs.
- The right to be told things in a way that you understand.
- The right to be told everything you need to know about your care and support.
- The right to make choices about your care and support.
- The right to have support.
- The right to decide if you want to be part of training, teaching or research.
- The right to make a complaint.
“My Health Passport” is a tool created by the Health & Disability Commissioner to help ease any communication barriers between patients and health services. The “My Health Passport” is a booklet you can take with you when you visit or use health and disability services. “My Health Passport” contains information about how you want people to communicate with you and support you when you use health or disability services.
If you have complex needs related to a disability or long-term condition it can be hard to let health-care workers know what you need. “My Health Passport” can help communicate your needs more effectively.
The Health and Disability Commissioner is currently working with hospitals around New Zealand to introduce the Health Passport.
It is available to download in different sizes (A4, A5 and tri-fold brochure) and an easy read style.