Health and Disability Advocates Coming To You

Health and Disability Advocates coming to a town you

People wanting to make a complaint to an advocate about a health or disability service will find it easier in the future. New funding from the Minister of Health as well as a new National Contract has allowed the Nationwide Health and Disability Advocacy Service to expand in ways that will improve access to an advocate as well as the quality of this national service.

It has also meant that advocates can focus on assisting those in residential homes for disabled people and rest homes as well as making more frequent visits to smaller towns and outlying areas to make it easier for these people to speak with an advocate and discuss their concerns. Provided under the Health and Disability Commissioner legislation, the advocacy service is available to any person who wants to make a complaint, or who requires information about health and disability consumers’ rights.

Advocates are independent and on the side of the consumer. The service they provide is free. The importance of advocates and their role of standing alongside and assisting consumers was acknowledged by the Minister of Health, Hon. Pete Hodgson at a recent conference organized by the Health and Disability Commissioner, Ron Paterson.

The service has previously been provided by separate advocacy organizations around the country. The recent tendering round by the Director of Advocacy, resulted in one national contract being awarded to a National Advocacy Trust. A Board with a national rather than a regional view will ensure the needs of all regions are taken into account and none are disadvantaged.

Background Information: Over the past 12 months, 36 advocates based in communities all over the country have responded to 8,388 enquiries, and assisted consumers with 4,405 complaints of which 88% were either fully or partially resolved. In addition they have taken part in 2575 networking contacts and carried out 1665 education sessions. As part of the expansion of the advocacy service, advocates have visited 98% of all the country’s rest homes to assist and be available to residents as well as providing education sessions for staff. This initiative was so successful in making it easy for vulnerable consumers to access an advocate that it has been extended to include disability homes and facilities.

The advocacy service was set up over 10 years ago as a feature of the Health and Disability Commissioner Act in response to the need for patient advocates identified by the then Judge Silvia Cartwright during her Inquiry into practices at National Women’s Hospital. The new national approach brings a strong national identity amongst the advocates with the sharing of skills and expertise across the country. Consumers can expect consistent high quality advocacy wherever they live.

ENDS

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