Setting the standard? New Zealand's approach to ensuring health and disability services of an appropriate standard.
This article critiques how health and disability providers' competence is monitored in New Zealand. The New Zealand Health and Disability Commissioner has the responsibility to uphold health and disability consumers' rights, including the right to an appropriate standard of care. Analysis of opinions examines how services of an appropriate standard are measured. Changes have been made to the Commissioner's investigative process since the current Commissioner took office in 2000, and comparison between opinions from 1999-2000 and 2004 assesses the impact of changes for providers and consumers. Currently, service providers interpret standards; a new approach is required to ensure consistent standard application so that consumers' rights are promoted according to the legislation.
Godbold
Rosemary
R
National Centre for Health and Social Ethics, Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences, Auckland University of Technology, Private Bag 92006, Auckland 1020, New Zealand.
McCallin
Antoinette
A
D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D009313:National Health Programs; D009520:New Zealand; D011361:Professional Competence / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000592:standards*; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*