Ministry welcomes HDC report into complaints
The Ministry of Disabled People - Whaikaha – welcomes the Health and Disability Commissioner’s Report into the complaints they have received about residential disability service providers.
The Health and Disability Commissioner (HDC) external URL has an important role in promoting and protecting the rights of people who use health and disability services.
The Ministry also has an important role in responding to complaints about the disability service providers we fund. The safety and wellbeing of disabled people and tāngata whaikaha Māori in community residential services is of utmost importance and we take our responsibilities seriously.
Disabled people must receive the support they need in a way that respects their rights, dignity and autonomy.
The HDC Report provides insights and brings together themes which will help us work with providers to strengthen the quality of services.
The Ministry is working with disabled people, tāngata whaikaha Māori and other stakeholders including providers to implement the recommendations of the 2023 report by Rachael Schmidt-McCleave.
This work includes projects to strengthen quality monitoring and safeguarding, including the development of a quality framework for the disability support sector.
The HDC Report notes that the disability sector is under pressure and recognises that most people working in the sector are committed to supporting disabled people to live good lives.
The Royal Commission of Inquiry into Historical Abuse in State and Faith-Based Care is being presented to Parliament next week (24 July). The Ministry is also awaiting the findings of the Independent Review into disability support services.
The recommendations in the HDC report will be carefully considered alongside any findings or recommendations contained in the Royal Commission’s Inquiry and the Independent Review into disability support services.