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Celebrating the 14th Anniversary of New Zealand’s Unique Code of Consumers’ Rights

1 July 2010

On Thursday 1 July, advocates from the Nationwide Health & Disability Advocacy Service will be out on the streets and in key places around the country providing information to the public about consumer rights when using a health or disability service.

The Health and Disability Commissioner's Act was passed in Parliament in 1994 and the Code of Health & Disability Services Consumers' Rights came in to effect on 1 July 1996. This is the only Code of Rights of its kind in the world with 10 legal rights for consumers and matching duties for providers to respect these rights - so is highly valued by New Zealand consumers.

Under the Act, a nationwide consumer advocacy service was established to promote the rights and to assist consumers who feel their rights have not been respected by a health or disability service. Consumers who make complaints are keen to see service improvements, so the early resolution of concerns and complaints with a health and disability advocate often includes a focus on actions to improve service quality. The advocacy service is free, confidential and independent of health and disability service providers.

Forty-eight advocates are located around the country in twenty-five community-based offices from Kaitaia to Invercargill. Specialist Deaf advocates and Refugee/Migrant advocates work with these communities to ensure they are aware of their rights, as well as educating health and disability providers on how to make their services more responsive to these consumers.

Advocates are available to provide free education sessions on consumer rights and provider responsibilities, as well as the role of the Health and Disability Commissioner and how an advocate can assist.

Anyone who wants information about the Code of Rights, how to organise a free education session or believes that their rights under the Code of Health & Disability Services Consumers' Rights have not been respected, can phone 0800-555 050 or email advocacy@hdc.org.nz  to be put in touch with their local advocate.  

Download flyer Code of Health and Disability Services Consumers' Rights Anniversary Day 1 July 2010