The College’s submission:
- urged the Commissioner to take a more visible leadership role in system reform under their statutory function to use insights from complaints to influence policies and practice across the system
- supported the focus on Te Tiriti o Waitangi and working with Māori; and clarification this is separate from the need for culturally competent and safe services for consumers identifying with other cultures such as tāngata whaikaha – people with disabilities and the Takatāpui - LBGTQIA+SB community; and the impact of intersectionality on health equity.
- requested greater emphasis on making services more accessible, suggesting the Health and Disability Commissioner Act 1994 reference the health sector principles in the Pae Ora (Health Futures) Act 2022 to ensure equitable access to health services, equitable levels of service, and equitable outcomes, for Māori and other population groups.
Read the submission (PDF 325.54KB).