Access is one of New Zealand's leading healthcare organisations, specialising in home-based healthcare and support. We work with the Ministry of Health, District Health Boards and ACC among others, to care for more than 14,000 people around the country. Find out more about us.

If people require care or support at home because they:

• are over the age of 65
• have a disability
• are rehabilitating from an injury or accident
• are living with a long term condition
• are recovering from an illness or hospitalisation
• require a break from providing care for someone else
• are in the final stages of life.

• Personal care
• District nursing
• Allied health services such as physiotherapy, occupational, speech and social therapy
• Household support
• Assistance with management of long-term conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and asthma
• Goals-based support programmes
• Restorative programmes
• Health education
• In-home respite care
• Palliative care

Aged care services are administered in New Zealand by District Health Boards (DHB's) on behalf of the Ministry of Health (MoH). DHB's hold contracts with accredited home care providers to provide designated services which are publicly funded.

Disability Support Services (DSS), part of the Health and Disability National Services Directorate of the Ministry of Health, is responsible for the planning and funding of disability support services in New Zealand. The MOH holds contracts with home care providers to provide designated services which are publicly funded.

NOTE: DHB’s and the MOH contract the NASC's (Needs Assessment and Service Coordination Centres) to work with people to identify their support needs and inform them what support services are available. NASC’s are often called "the Gateway" to Government-funded aged care and disability support services.

Community nursing services are administered in New Zealand by DHB’s on behalf of the Ministry of Health. Some DHB’s provide their own community nursing services and some hold contracts with accredited external providers to provide designated services which are publicly-funded. Community nursing services may also be available through ACC who purchase these services from accredited external providers.

The Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) provides support if you’ve been injured by helping you get back to work and everyday life as soon as possible.

If you require support that is not publicly funded, you can purchase services from a provider of your choice and pay privately.

Alternatively, you may be eligible for care to be paid for by another agency; for example, another Government department, a charity or a health foundation or society. You should contact them directly for advice, or approach them via your GP.

Where you have an illness, accident or have been hospitalised and hold private medical insurance, your insurer may pay for home-based rehabilitation services and support. In such cases your insurer will advise on your entitlement and relevant assessment procedures.

Other funded support may be available from Veterans Affairs (www.veteransaffairs.mil.nz) or through WINZ(www.winz.govt.nz).

The first thing to do is to obtain a referral for in home care from

• Your GP
• Another clinician providing you with care
• ACC
• Your private health insurer
• A Needs Assessment and Service Coordination (NASC) service. NASCs are organisations contracted to the DHB, which work with people to help identify their support needs and to outline what support services are available so they can be as independent as possible in their home and community.

There are a range of home care providers around New Zealand. Some things to check:

• If your service is publicly funded the provider will need to be accredited and hold a contract with the funding authority.
• Is the provider accredited to the New Zealand Standard 8158:2003 - Home and Community Support Sector Standard?
• Is the provider a member of the NZ Home Health Association (www.nzhha.org.nz)?
• Where your support needs are more complex, you should ask about the availability of clinical oversight and the availability and coordination of nursing and allied health services.

The following groups may be able to provide support or guidance to source healthcare services.

 

Government Health-Related

Ministry of Health (MoH) - The Ministry of Health has overall responsibility for the health and disability system.

Local District Health Boards (DHB's) -  District Health Boards plan, manage, provide and purchase health and disability services in their district including primary care, public health services, and aged care.

Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) - The Accident Compensation Corporation provides support if you've been injured.

 

Needs Assessment Service Coordination

Needs Assessment Service Coordination (NASC's) are contracted to DHB's and the MOH to work with people to identify their support needs and inform them what support services are available.

NASC - Older persons services.

NASC - People with disability.

 

Cultural Support

DHB - Older people and people with disability - ask about Maori and Pacific Health Advisors.

NASC - Older people and people with disability - ask about Maori and Pacific Needs Assessment Teams.

ACC - Ask about Maori, Pacific and Asian Advisors.

Maori and Pacific development organisations - Research availability of these in your area.

Local health resource centres - Research availability of these in your area. 

 

Foundations and Societies

There are a wide range of foundations and societies, most charitable, that assist people who have particular health or disability support needs in many ways.

Alzheimers New Zealand - Support, information and contacts for people with dementia and their carers, family and whānau and community.

Arthritis New Zealand - The national voluntary organisation, which represents the interests of those with arthritis.

Asthma Society - Your local asthma society can help with information and support.

CCS Disability Action - Works with and supports all people with a disability in order that they have the same access to relationships, learning, recreation, work and community as everyone else.

Cancer Society - Supports people with cancer, their family/whānau and friends; a range of services are provided by the regional divisions and centres.

Cystic Fibrosis Association - The Cystic Fibrosis Association of New Zealand has been operating for over thirty years to improve the lives of cystic fibrosis sufferers and their families, and offers a range of support.

Diabetes New Zealand - Represents people with diabetes, offering support and education.

Muscular Distrophy Association (MDA) - provides New Zealanders living with neuromuscular conditions personal support and information, and advocates, influences and promotes equality of opportunity.

Stroke Foundation - The Stroke Foundation network provides information, understanding, care, support and rehabilitation for people who suffered a stroke, their families and caregivers.

 

Veterans

Special assistance is available for returned servicemen. For example, you may be entitled to funded home support.

Veterans Affairs New Zealand - Deliver services to veterans and act as their advocates on a wide range of issues relating to veterans' entitlements, care and recognition.

 

Government Departments

Government departments may be able to provide advice, guidance or support.

Work and Income New zealand (Te Hiranga Tangata) - Work and Income New Zealand offers a range of assistance to support individuals and families.

Ministry of Social Development (Te Manatu Whakahiato Ora) - The Ministry of Social Development offers a number of different services for seniors, disabled people, and children and young people.

 

Partners

Access works closely with a number of organisations with shared aims in order to extend the reach of both organisations and ultimately benefit clients.

St Johns - A major international charity working to improve the health and wellbeing of people in over 40 countries. St John’s mission is to prevent and relieve sickness and injury, and act to enhance the health and wellbeing of all people throughout NZ.

Rural Women New Zealand - Offers support and friendship for women with an interest in the land and rural issues. This includes providing an integrated quality care service, in association with other health professionals, to all parts of New Zealand.

Carers New Zealand - Carers New Zealand is a national registered charity which provides information, advice, learning and support for families with health and disability needs.They provide particular support for those assisting with the care of their loved ones at home. 

To enquire about current vacancies, see our vacancies page or please call 0800 AT HOME (0800 284 663).

To find out more about how to become a support worker with us, please click here for our careers section. Alternatively please call 0800 AT HOME (0800 284 663) to enquire about current vacancies.

Access supports New Zealanders from Whangarei to Invercargill. Our head office is in Wellington and our network extends to twenty branches nationwide. To see a full list of our branches and the relevant contact details, please click here.