Principles Guiding Provision Of Health & Disability Services

This set of principles describe how healthcare providers should meet your child or young person's particular needs during every phase of healthcare and disability support.

Healthcare and disability support providers of Well Child, chronic care or disability support services for tamariki (children) and rangatahi (young people) should ensure that long-term support systems are created which are centred on the individual.

Healthcare and disability support providers should have systems to provide continuity and coordination between and within the various services working with tamariki (children), rangatahi (young people) and their whānau (families).

Every child and young person receiving healthcare or disability support services should have access to, and opportunities to participate in play, recreation, creative activities and education.

Health and disability service providers whose knowledge and skills enable them to respond appropriately to children's and young people's clinical, emotional, developmental, educational and cultural needs, should care for tamariki (children), rangatahi (young people) and their whānau (families).

Accommodation, facilities and equipment should meet the needs of tamariki (children) and rangatahi (young people). Facilities and equipment should be designed, provided and maintained to ensure children and young people's safety and emotional well-being. Accommodation for tamariki and rangatahi should be separate from that provided for adults.

Tamariki (children) and rangatahi (young people) should be protected from physical and emotional pain, trauma and distress.

Whānau (families) need to be fully informed about their child or young person's condition so that they can participate in all aspects of their child or young person's care and support.

Tamariki (children) and rangatahi (young people) of all ages should have information provided in a manner appropriate to their maturity, understanding and culture. This includes participation in decisions that affect them, active involvement in their care and giving consent if competent.

As much healthcare and disability support as possible should be provided in the home and community. When tamariki (children) and rangatahi (young people) are admitted to hospital, this should be as close to home as possible within the bounds of quality and safety.

Healthcare and disability support services should provide culturally safe services to all tamariki (children), rangatahi (young people) and their whānau (families).

Health and disability service providers should respect and be responsive to Māori and their cultural values and beliefs.

Tamariki (children) are part of a whānau (family) and are dependent on parents or primary caregivers for physical and emotional care and support. Whānau are a critical part of support and care for tamariki.

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.

When tamariki (children) and rangatahi (young people) receive health or disability services, their needs should be the primary concern of the health provider.