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The Role of the Health and Disability Commissioner
The Health and Disability Commissioner is an independent agency set up to promote and protect the rights of consumers who use
health and disability services; and to help resolve problems between consumers and providers of health and disability services.
Complaints are initially assessed by the Commissioner who may decide to investigate whether or not the provider has breached the
Code of Health and Disability Service Consumers' Rights. The Commissioner may decide to refer the complaint to the Dental Council
if the complaint appears to raise doubts about the competence of an oral health practitioner, his or her fitness to practise, or
the appropriateness of his or her conduct. The Commissioner's options on finding a breach of the Code include making reports and
recommendations to interested parties. Some examples of recommendations the Commissioner include a written apology to the
consumer, reimbursing the consumer's costs, undertaking specific training, or implementing and reviewing systems to prevent further
breaches.
Refer to the Health and Disability Commissioner's website for more information:
www.hdc.org.nz.
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