The Heath and Disability Commissioner Act
The Health and Disability Commissioner Act 1994 is a key element in the new environment of consumer-focused and consumer-accountable health and disability services and has become the primary vehicle for dealing with complaints about any health or disability services provider in New Zealand.
The purpose of the Act is expressed as being "to promote and protect the rights of health consumers and disability services consumers, and, in particular, to secure the fair, simple, speedy, and efficient resolution of complaints relating to infringements of those rights" (s 6). This objective is achieved through the implementation of a Code of Rights, the establishment of a complaints process to ensure enforcement of those rights, and the ongoing education of providers and consumers.
Read The Health and Disability Commissioner Act 1994
Read The Health and Disability Commissioner Amendment Act 2003
Download a pdf of The Health and Disability Commissioner Act 1994 (incorporating amendments)