Message from Carolyn Cooper, Aged Care Commissioner:
Kia ora, I’m Carolyn Cooper, the Aged Care Commissioner for Aotearoa New Zealand. This is a new role created to help monitor the delivery of great quality of care and quality of life for older people.
We all have the right to make informed decisions and give informed consent for health and disability services, and to receive an appropriate standard of care that meets our needs and upholds our dignity and mana. These rights are set out in The Code of Health and Disability Services Consumers’ Rights; read it on the Health and Disability Commissioner’s (HDC) website or request a copy from your health provider.
There’s more information about your rights and advocacy in the FREE book Where from here He ara whakamua. Call Eldernet for a copy 0800 162 706. If you think your rights are not being met, it’s important to let someone know. People who have concerns about the care they or others have experienced from aged care services should make a complaint to HDC (0800 11 22 33) or contact the Nationwide Health & Disability Advocacy Service (0800 555 050).
Updated: 24 Feb 2023