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Nā to rourou, nā taku rourou, ka ora ai te iwi. 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: https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/regulation-health-and-disability-system/certification-health-care-services/services-standards/nga-paerewa-health-and-disability-services-standard/training-and-support 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: https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/regulation-health-and-disability-system/certification-health-care-services/services-standards/nga-paerewa-health-and-disability-services-standard/sector-guidance-nga-paerewa-health-and-disability-services-standard-nzs-81342021/part-1-our-rights 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. https://www.health.govt.nz/system/files/documents/publications/designated_auditing_agency_handbook.pdf 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.

The National Screening Unit audit programme has been implemented in 2021 and the NSU Auditing Handbook has been published on the NSU website here The Auditing Handbook describes the general screening programme audit requirements.

Health Accreditation and Certification Programmes The DAA Group is a Ministry of Health designated and independent certification and accreditation company that provides assessments in the health sector against a range of standards, including against the Health and Disability Services Standards for Ministry of Health certification, EQuIP Accreditation and ISO Quality Management. We undertake assessments across New Zealand. We are seeking to employ an Auditor Client Manager in our Wellington office. This is a fulltime position, however hours can be negotiable, and a 0.8 FTE could be considered. This role involves auditing and managing the audit processes for various health services. An important part of the role is building relationships with clients, liaising with the Ministry of Health, developing audit plans and itineraries, undertaking audits and assisting to develop the range of services currently offered to providers. There is an administrative component to this role. This Auditor Client Manager role requires a person who has a deep understanding of, and commitment to standards, safety and quality in health care and who has worked at a senior level in the health or disability sectors. The applicants should have a health related qualification or relevant management and/or quality experience and ideally have achieved Unit Standard 8086 qualification (Demonstrate Knowledge Required for Quality Auditing) or equivalent, knowledge of the auditing and accreditation sector in New Zealand and be goal focused. Training for Unit Standard 8086 can be provided to the successful applicant, if needed. If you are interested in this position, please send your curriculum vitae and a letter outlining the expertise and attributes you bring to this role to Margot Broadhead, (Executive Assistant), by email on margot.broadhead@daagroup.co.nz or phone 04 499 0367 for further information. Applications close 19 November 2021

October 2021 Vaccination is a crucial part of the public health response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Many of our auditors, particularly those with clinical registrations, will have a vital role in the COVID-19 vaccination programmes and in educating the public about the importance and safety of COVID-19 vaccines to ensure high participation rates. Vaccination of our auditors and our office staff serves specific purposes, including: o vaccination will provide our auditors and staff with a level of protection in relation to their own health if exposed to the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19 at work or elsewhere. o Respecting and meeting the governmental mandate that front line healthcare and disability workers be vaccinated, thereby protecting the patients, residents, clients in these services. o Our auditors and staff are members of the general community; vaccination will contribute to achieving the highest possible level of immunity across the community, contributing to broader societal safety. The DAA Group strongly encourages all auditors and staff to have the full Covid-19 vaccination course as scheduled unless medically contraindicated. It is entirely likely that the health and disability services we audit will require all suppliers to be fully vaccinated in order for them to be admitted into the service as a visitor or in our case as an auditor. For this reason, the DAA Group will require auditors to confirm their vaccination status prior to being scheduled on any audits. At this stage, proof of vaccination does not need to be provided to the DAA Group, but will need to be shown to health and disability services that request it before the audit commences (for example, when you arrive on site). While some people may have a conscientious objection to COVID-19 vaccination, all auditors and staff must comply with local employer, health service or health ministry policies, procedures and guidelines relating to COVID-19 vaccination. Any promotion of anti-vaccination statements or health advice which contradicts the best available scientific evidence or seeks to actively undermine the national immunisation campaign (including via social media) is not supported by the DAA Group and may be in breach of our codes of conduct and subject to investigation and possible action. The official site for the latest information on the novel coronavirus pandemic is https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and-conditions/covid-19-novel-coronavirus Training Resources - https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and-conditions/covid-19-novel-coronavirus/covid-19-resources-and-tools/covid-19-learning-modules

Our big news this month is that Janice McEwan, Co Director, has resigned from the DAA Group to enjoy new adventures from 1 September. Here is a special message from Janice: Hello all from Janice I have made a decision to create a new chapter in my life that will take me into my older age, and set me up for the next 20 years. Cathy has enabled this decision by taking over the business in full. This has been a very big decision for me, as you will know the DAA Group is equivalent to my baby. However, now is time for change. The company is in a great place and over the last couple of years I have been moving further away from being an essential cog to being a support. I will complete the National Screening Unit work and undertake a little contract work for a period, as well as continue to run the Q Plus training courses this year. I plan to study art and design over the next year or two. Who knows where that journey will take me? I’m excited about that. I will miss the work and all of you wonderful people. Cathy and the team will keep me posted from time to time, and as needed, I will provide an ear and support if needed. Thank you for your commitment to the DAA Group over the years. I am very proud to leave a company that I have founded and developed with Cathy. Cathy will remain in her current role as Director/Specialist Advisor, and Robyn Byers will remain as General Manager.

Presenter: Diane Waugh, BSN, RN, CDP Essential tips for communicating for someone with dementia. Diane Waugh shares her own experiences and the mistakes she made as a caregiver for her mother. This is an intimate conversation with actual caregivers who are struggling and needing help in caring for their loved ones with dementia. Diane shares effective ways to avoid the 'traps' that caregivers often fall into when trying to communicate with their loved one. She believes that engaging with all the senses can make you a more effective communicator and gives you ideas and ways to do so. Diane also believes you must learn how to enter into your loved ones world and not expect them to conform to your world as you once knew it. These tips provide ways to communicate more effectively and reduce stress for all. This presentation will prepare and equip you in handling the difficulties and frustrations and give you new ways to talk to someone with dementia. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ilickabmjww

Tēnā koutou The Ministry of Health has advised that the Minister of Health has approved the revised Health and Disability Services Standard. HealthCERT is now working hard to align their processes with the revised standard. And we at DAA Group are doing the same. Any organisations that have a scheduled audit from February next year will be audited against the revised standard. Copies of the revised standard can be obtained electronically free of charge from the Standards NZ website: https://www.standards.govt.nz/shop/nzs-81342021/ Dr Ashley Bloomfield has recorded an introduction to the revised standards. You can view it here: https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/regulation-health-and-disability-system/certification-health-care-services/services-standards/nga-paerewa-health-and-disability-services-standard HealthCERT are holding a series of webinars starting 14 July 2021 at lunchtime about the revised standards. You can find more information about these and register for them here: https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/regulation-health-and-disability-system/certification-health-care-services/services-standards/nga-paerewa-health-and-disability-services-standard/training-and-support

The DAA Group is delighted to announce the appointment of Client Manager, Jen McKinlay-Birkin. Some of you may remember that Jen previously worked with us as a Client Manager and we are lucky that she has returned after two years in a quality management role in Tauranga. Jen will be the Client Manager for our Allied Health and ACC programmes. Here is a bit of a background on Jen: Jen is a Client Manager and Lead Auditor with the DAA Group. She lives and works from her home in Tauranga and is attached to the Wellington office. Jen has previously worked in the health and disability sector for a national provider of home-based support, residential disability and community mental health and nursing services. She has also held team management and adult education roles for the Accident Compensation Corporation and a multi-national corporation. Jen has 18 years’ experience as a quality practitioner and 12 years as a Lead Auditor. She is an NZQA 8086 Health Sector qualified auditor and is a certified adult learning practitioner through NZIM. Jen can be reached at jen.mckinlay-birkin@daagroup.co.nz or 04 830 0012.

The National Screening Unit announced this week the appointment of the DAA Group to audit its screening programmes. Here is what they say in the 'Screening Matters' newsletter: Monday, July 13, 2020 - 09:08 In a significant step towards sustaining the quality and safety of its screening programmes, the National screening Unit (NSU) has partnered with a new, independent auditing agency. The DAA Group has been appointed for three years, from 1 July 2020, to undertake quality audits for the Ministry’s cancer, antenatal and newborn screening programmes. NSU Manager Astrid Koornneef says the appointment of the DAA Group is exciting news. ‘Quality assurance and quality improvement activities underpin high-quality, equitable and accessible screening programmes.  With the DAA Group we will be introducing a new audit programme with a schedule of regular audits, led by one agency, rather than individual programmes using different providers, as we have in the past.’ Ms Koornneef says the appointment of the DAA Group to improve and streamline the Unit’s auditing process comes at a time when the quality and safety of health services have never been more important. ‘The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a greater focus on health generally and increased scrutiny of the services we deliver. To know our screening programmes will be audited by a single agency, with a solid reputation in the health sector, gives considerable peace of mind.’ NSU Clinical Director Dr Jane O’Hallahan says she welcomes news of the appointment of a new auditing agency. ‘The safety and integrity of our programmes from a clinical perspective are paramount. I look forward to working with the DAA Group and screening providers to uphold and support continuous improvement that results from quality audit.’

Since March of this year, our world has changed. We hope that you have managed well through this time despite all the challenges. The DAA Group audit work ceased when New Zealand entered alert level 3 in March and is only now beginning to recommence. We will be working under the direction of the MoH alert levels and other guidance provided as to how audits are undertaken. Many audits were deferred and planning is well underway for the re-scheduling of those plus the audits routinely due in coming months. We will be doing our best to minimise travel and to take into account the needs of services as we undertake this planning and preparation for audits. We look forward to working with our auditors and clients again as audits recommence.

We hope you like our new website! We've organised the information so that it is tailored to the different Health and Disability sectors in the hope that this makes it easy and simple for you to find the answers you are looking for. We've added Search functionality, rearranged the content per sector and added in a Members Area with learning resources so there is lots to explore! Our team are still just as ready, however, to help answer your questions over the phone so please don't hesitate to call us on freephone 0508 246 776.

We would just like to suggest to you all that if your facility has a norovirus outbreak in a period when your spot surveillance audit is due to please let us know. We will change the date of the spot surveillance audit so that you have time to recover and so that auditors don’t appear unnecessarily at your door. We know that a norovirus outbreak is a stressful experience and we don’t want to place extra pressure on you during this time.