ABSTRACT

In 1984, a Health Complaints Unit was established in New South Wales within the Health Department. It was replaced, in 1994, by an independent Health Care Complaints Commission which has similar functions to the other Commissions, except that the New South Wales model requires the Commissioner to prosecute registered providers charged with professional misconduct before the relevant registration boards. In New Zealand the Health and Disability Act 1994 established a Health and Disability Commissioner. The Commissioner is empowered to promote and protect the rights of consumers of health and disability services, and has developed a code of rights to apply to all types of health and disability services.