You have rights when you receive health or disability services – even if they are free.
These are covered in the Code of Health and Disability Services Consumers’ Rights (available at www.hdc.org.nz). The purpose of the code is to protect your rights as a health consumer and to help resolve any complaints you may have if you feel those rights have not been protected.
If you are dissatisfied with the service you have received, first try to sort it out with the doctor, nurse or other health care person involved before taking it further. If you are unable or uncomfortable about doing this by yourself, there is help available.
A friendly, local advisory service such as Citizen’s Advice Bureau Phone 07 348 3936 or cab.rotorua@xtra.co.nz is there to help with all sorts of queries.
Or you may prefer to take your complaint to a specialist Health and Disability Consumer Advocate, who is specially trained to act on your behalf. There is a free telephone number, 0800 555 050 or you can email them at advocacy@hdc.org.nz.