New code of expectations implementation guide and co-design e-learning suite released

Te Tāhū Hauora Health Quality & Safety Commission (Te Tāhū Hauora) has released two new resources to support the health sector to apply the code of expectations for health entities’ engagement with consumers and whānau (the code of expectations). These resources comprise the code of expectations implementation guide and e-learning modules on co-design in health.

The code of expectations, launched in August 2022 under the Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Act 2022, is underpinned by the health sector and Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles. All health entities must follow the code and report annually on how they have applied it.

Te Tāhū Hauora Chief Executive Dr Peter Jansen (Ngāti Hinerangi, Ngāti Raukawa) says, ‘The implementation guide and co-design modules will support and empower the health sector to be successful in embedding the voices of consumers, which is critical to achieving a safe and high-quality health system.’

The implementation guide, developed in partnership with Te Whatu Ora, Te Aka Whai Ora, Pharmac, the New Zealand Blood Service and consumers, offers practical advice, resources and examples of consumer engagement. It focuses on co-designing with consumers, whānau and communities, using lived experience to improve health services, improving equity through partnership and collaboration, and accessibility and resourcing for consumer, whānau and community engagement.

The code of expectations does not replace the Code of Health and Disability Services Consumers’ Rights, which outlines important rights that providers must uphold when directly delivering services to consumers. Instead, the code of expectations establishes requirements for how health entities must collaborate with consumers, whānau and communities in planning, designing, delivering and evaluating health services.

To supplement the implementation guide, Te Tāhū Hauora has produced a suite of introductory e-learning modules that cover co-design for health staff and consumers. Co-design intentionally brings consumers, whānau, communities and staff together to understand their experiences and gather ideas for improving the health system and achieving more equitable health outcomes for all New Zealanders. These co-design modules cover how to:

• support consumers, whānau and communities to contribute to co-design
• engage Māori consumers in co-design
• engage Pacific consumers in co-design
• get involved as consumers, whānau and communities.

‘Together, by embracing the code of expectations and fostering strong partnerships, we can create a health care system that truly meets the needs of the people we serve,’ says Dr Jansen.

View the code of expectations implementation guide.

You can access the co-design in health modules through the Manatū Hauora LearnOnline platform. First-time LearnOnline users will need to create a login. To learn more, please visit our webpage on these free e-learning courses.

For more information or support, please contact a member of the He Hoa Tiaki consumer engagement team via email consumers@hqsc.govt.nz or freephone 0800 275 742.