With your food basket, and my food basket, The People will thrive.
Tēnā koutou
On the 28th of February 2022 the revised Health and Disability Services Standard - Ngā Paerewa - NZS 8134:2021 came into effect. This revised standard will continue to apply to all sectors currently certified by HealthCERT (Ministry of Health) and three additional sectors.
The list of sectors included is as below (also represented in table format along with relevant criteria on pages 15 to 23 of Ngā Paerewa)
· Aged residential care services
· Assisted reproductive technology services
· Home and community support services
· Residential disability (Intellectual, Physical, Sensory) services
· Residential mental health and addiction (Including Psychiatric) services
· Public and private overnight hospital inpatient services
· Birthing unit services
· Hospice services
· Abortion services
Hard copies of the standard are available for purchase or an electronic copy free of charge can be obtained from the Standards NZ website: https://www.standards.govt.nz/shop/nzs-81342021/.
The DAA Group has had the privilege of partnering with the Ministry of Health, the Maori Partnership Alliance - Te Apārangi, other audit agencies, experts in the health sector and people of New Zealand to develop a standard that aligns with current health reforms in New Zealand,
'I know what it means for me' - the central thread across this standards empowers people of all abilities, cultures and ages to have a voice in what matters to them.
Training
HealthCERT ran a series of online sessions which started 14 July 2021 about the revised standards. You will find a copy of the presentation slides (general and sector specific) here:
The HealthCERT online sessions that have already occurred can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWCaeydAlRF40l0JlimvnuN2TU6466oUz
Support
HealthCERT has made available a number of resources to assist providers in understanding the intentions of the revised standard, knowing what to prepare and suggestions on who to contact for assistance with preparations. See sections outlined below:
Sector guidance for providers
This resource was developed to assist, support and direct providers to understand how to meet each criterion in the standard. The guidance has been organised by service type to fully appreciate the unique characteristics of different types of services. Please be mindful that this resource is meant as a guide only and not a mandatory requirement. Each service provider still owns the responsibility of providing a service that meets the needs of their people.
Sector Guidance on the Ministry’s website found here:
DAA Handbook
The DAA handbook is considered a useful resource by audit agencies and service providers. It outlines the rules/requirements for audit and audit teams. The 2022 handbook aligns Ngā Paerewa, it provides all the necessary information including a mapping table of the 2008 and 2021 standard.
Ngā Paerewa - NZS 8134:2021 has challenged us to a great journey of discovery - refocusing the provision of health services on: - Te Tiriti
- 'Me' - What do I need from my health provider?
- 'We' - How can I provide safe and meaningful services to my people?
Where to from here?
The DAA Group is putting together a series of online sessions for service providers to enable learning and discussion on the revised standard. Dates are being finalised and you will receive notification of them.
In the meantime and as you prepare please review the above resources, and further your interest by reading the:
· Ministry of Health action plans and strategies for People with disabilities, Māori and
Pacific peoples
· Local DHB strategies, guidelines and action plan
Or stride out on your own and look up your local ‘mana whenua’: https://maorimaps.com/
E-Assess
The DAA Group is also in the process of developing an electronic self-assessment tool to assist providers in understanding the requirements of the revised standard and to identify areas where they may need to make improvements in order to meet the standard. We aim to have this completed as soon as possible and will let you know when it is ready.