Designated auditing agency handbook: Ministry of Health auditor handbook (revised 2015)

Introduction: This handbook outlines the Ministry of Health\u27s requirements of designated auditing agencies for auditing and audit reporting for the certification of health care services under the Health and Disability Services (Safety) Act 2001. The handbook also gives providers of health care services a guide to specific requirements for various types of audits.     &nbsp

Disability support services strategic plan 2014 to 2018

The Ministry of Health’s Disability Support Services (DSS) group has developed a four-year Strategic Plan for 2014 to 2018. Summary The plan sets out the vision for Disability Support Services – that disabled people and their families are supported to live the lives they choose – along with some guiding principles that informed the development of the plan. Context for the plan’s development is outlined, including: the strategies and commitments that guided its development information on disability support in New Zealand demographic analysis. It also includes an action plan for the Disability Support Services group. One of the priority areas contained in the plan is the implementation of the Putting People First quality review. The plan was developed with input and guidance from stakeholders to ensure it reflects a shared direction and commitment to the vision and related activities

Implementing medicines New Zealand 2015 to 2020

Summary Medicines play a significant role in helping New Zealanders get well, stay well and live well. We have already made positive changes in this area, but there are substantial challenges ahead of us. We need to buy, use and manage medicines wisely. We need to meet the needs of our ageing population and meet the needs of the increasing numbers of people with multiple chronic conditions. And we need to meet these needs in a way that is more efficient, more coordinated and achieves the most from our limited health dollars. Medicines New Zealand (the New Zealand medicines strategy) provides the overarching framework to govern the regulation, procurement, management and use of medicines in New Zealand. The three core outcomes for the medicines system as set out in the Strategy are: access optimal use quality, safety and efficacy. Implementing Medicines New Zealand is about the changes required to deliver on Medicines New Zealand. This action plan supports the achievement of the Strategy’s outcomes by: making the most of every point of care enabling shared care through an integrated health care team optimal use of antimicrobials empowering individuals and families/whānau to manage their own medicines and health optimal medicines use in older people and those with long-term conditions competent and responsive prescribers removing barriers to access. This will be done by harnessing the collective efforts of all health professionals, including those working in community organisations, primary health care, pharmacies, hospitals, rest homes and end-of-life care

Evaluation of the maternity quality and safety programme

This report presents findings on the impact of maternity quality and safety programmes in New Zealand. Overview Local maternity quality and safety programmes have been operating in each district health board (DHB) since 2012 and have raised the profile of maternity quality and safety by establishing more effective governance structures, enhanced clinical leadership and better engagement with the sector and consumers. In 2014/15, the Ministry contracted Allen + Clarke, policy and regulatory specialists to evaluate the impact of the local maternity quality and safety programmes. They found that the programmes had started to deliver meaningful improvements and there was significant value in continued Ministry of Health investment and support. The report highlights some of the challenges DHBs have faced in implementing the local maternity quality and safety programmes and provides useful information for DHBs as they move into the next phase of their local programmes. In mid-2015 the Ministry of Health confirmed ongoing funding for DHB maternity quality and safety programmes

National drug policy 2015 to 2020

Overview Over a lifetime, 44 percent of New Zealanders will try an illegal drug and 93 percent will drink alcohol.  While not every instance of alcohol and other drug use is harmful, the effects of these substances can be significant. They contribute to immediate harms such as car crashes, as well as long term harm such as health conditions and family breakdown.  Alcohol and other drug issues are closely intertwined with social factors such as income, employment, housing and education.  This means that effective government intervention requires a cross-agency response.  The National Drug Policy 2015 – 2020 is the guiding document for policies and practices responding to alcohol and other drug issues.  The Government will use the Policy to prioritise resources and assess the effectiveness of the actions taken by agencies and front-line services. The Policy aims to guide decision-making by local services, communities and NGOs, to improve collaboration and maximise the effectiveness of the system as a whole.  To do this, the Policy sets a shared goal, objectives, strategies and priorities for action over the next five years

'Services for Handicapped Persons'

Circular produced by the Ministry of Health

'National Assistance Act 1948: Welfare Services for Handicapped Persons Other than the Blind and Partially-Sighted'

Circular produced by the Ministry of Health

'National Health Service: Rehabilitation in the Hospital Service and its Relation to Other Services'

Circular produced by the Ministry of Health

'National Assistance Act 1948: Welfare of Handicapped Persons - the Special Welfare Needs of Epileptics and of Spastics'

Circular produced by the Ministry of Health

'The Road Back to Health: the Story of Medical Rehabilitation'

Pamphlet produced by the Ministry of Health