Nationwide Health and Disability Advocacy Service - different ways to get in touch

Disabled Persons Assembly NZ -

James, the Web Administrator at Nationwide Health and Disability Advocacy Service, is reaching out to spread the word about the different ways people can get in touch with the service:

"Hard of hearing myself, verbal communication is difficult for me, so I am passionate about supporting others with communication challenges to access our Advocacy Services. Contacting our service shouldn’t be hard work, and I am always wanting to help others with access."

About the Nationwide Health and Disability Advocacy Service

Nationwide Health and Disability Advocacy Service is free, confidential, and independent of health and disability service providers. Their advocates are available to support consumers with their concerns about a health or disability service.

Nationwide Health and Disability Advocacy has 32 Advocates located around the country in twenty community-based offices from Kaitaia to Invercargill, and are available to work with communities to ensure they are aware of their rights, as well as educating health and disability providers on how to make their services more responsive to these consumers.

Advocates are available to provide free education sessions on consumer rights and provider responsibilities, as well as the role of the Health and Disability Commissioner and how an advocate can assist.

A few examples where an Advocate may be able to help:

  • Disability Service Provider not meeting service delivery expectations (like, staff not turning up)
  • Doctor charging fees without notifying the consumer beforehand
  • A Medical Professional treating a consumer disrespectfully
  • A Medical Professional fails to diagnose or treat a medical condition
  • Any Health or Disability Service not meeting the Code of Rights


Getting in touch

Anyone who wants information about the Code of Rights, advocacy resources, how to organise a free education session, or believes that their rights under the Code of Health and Disability Services Consumers’ Rights have not been respected can: