Principle 2: Holistic Approach

Introduction

The following is one of a group of principles which recognise the particular needs of tamariki and rangatahi receiving health and disability support services. The principles describe what should be provided when your child or young person receives those services.

The principles are based on expert opinion and a considerable body of literature in Aotearoa New Zealand and overseas and they have been developed after wide consultation.

See a listing of 14 principles guiding provision of health and disability services

Holistic approach

Principle: Tamariki (children) and rangatahi (young people) should be treated as thinking, feeling people who are members of a whānau (family) and who have a range of strengths and needs. Health professionals should consider all these, not just the health problem the child or young person has that day.

All attendances for healthcare or disability support should be used to promote, and advocate for, the holistic development and wellbeing of tamariki, rangathi and their whānau.

You can expect that when your child or young person receives health or disability services, the providers will treat your child or young person holistically. That is, as a thinking, feeling person who is a member of a whānau and who has needs to be met, beyond just the physical. These needs are: 

• developmental
• physical
• emotional
• social, educational and vocational
• cultural
• spiritual

Health professionals should consider all these needs and not limit their concerns to your child's or young person's health problem that day. You can also expect them to be concerned with the services that are available for your child's or young person's needs. They should make sure your child or young person is receiving all the services that they are entitled to, such as the Well Child Tamariki Ora Programme for children from birth to 5 years.

Health professionals should also consider the whole whānau and the impact of the condition on the day-to-day functioning of your whānau.