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How to organise an education or training programme

Health and disability advocates are available to provide free education sessions and presentations that relate to the Code of Rights, the role of the Health and Disability Commissioner and the advocacy service.

For consumer groups:

• Know your rights, and how to advocate effectively for them.

For providers:

Advocates can help providers to develop the right programme for them and their staff. They can include a focus on:

• assisting staff to provide a consumer-centred service
• assisting staff to inform consumers of their rights
• assisting health professionals to meet the standards established in professional competency frameworks, as well as certification requirements.

A list of some of the programmes available are as follows. Click here to view this information in a Word document (36Kb).

Sessions can also be tailored to best suit the group needing the education session as well as the time available.

Please phone 0800 555 050 or email advocacy@hdc.org.nz to discuss your needs and to make arrangements with the advocate in your area.

Programmes available

Introduction to the Code, HDC and advocacy
Covers the purpose of the Act and what it provides for, the Code of Consumers' Rights and the role of health + disability advocates in assisting consumers to take action to resolve complaints.
Suitable for general audience

The art of great care
This session uses  great care stories to highlight features of great service.
Suitable for general audience

Speaking Up
comes with a parallel programme for providers about providing a safe environment when consumers speak up - particularly suitable for residential settings.
Suitable for consumers

You are not alone
Tips and actions consumers can take to recognise their own resources and where to get support
Suitable for consumers

Advance Directives
How to make sure your wishes are clearly understood when you are not in a position to make your own decisions.
Suitable for consumers

Being an effective advocate
Covers the role and function of advocacy using an empowerment and strengths-based approach.
Suitable for consumers and consumer groups

Informed Consent and advance directives
Understanding the principles and how they work in practice.
Suitable for providers

Meeting the rights of the Deaf Community
Suitable for providers (available to lower North Island only)

Open Disclosure
Suitable for publicly funded services needing to comply with the Health and Disability Sector Standards which now include open disclosure.
Suitable for providers

Dealing  effectively with complaints
Includes key elements for achieving resolution plus rebuilding relationships.
Suitable for providers

Using complaints to improve service quality
Follow on from session above to explore the benefits of linking complaints + quality improvement policies so every complaint becomes an opportunity for learning and quality improvement.
Suitable for providers