Achieving Equity

Policy

Q68

We are committed to improving health equity outcomes for all patients and family/whānau, including Māori as tangata whenua (indigenous people). Equity in health care is underpinned by Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

We embrace diversity, inclusion and equity, and ensure that all our patients and visitors receive appropriate care in an environment where they feel safe and comfortable.

We have zero tolerance for discrimination and seek to recognise and eliminate it wherever possible. We understand that discrimination takes many forms.

We pursue health equity because it is a human right:

• For Māori as tangata whenua, equitable outcomes are enshrined in Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
• All people in New Zealand have a right to equitable health outcomes under human-rights legislation:
  • New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990
  • New Zealand Human Rights Act 1993
  • Universal Declaration of Human Rights 1948

We also pursue health equity because it is justified on a needs basis. Māori and other priority groups experience significant proven inequities across multiple health and social indicators.

See also Māori Health Equity and Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

Equitable outcomes

Our thinking, planning, and actions to achieve equity are underpinned by the New Zealand government's Māori health framework for the health and disability sector:

• Pae Tū: Hauora Māori Strategy
• Whakamaua: Māori Health Action Plan 2020-2025.

To pursue equitable health outcomes for every patient, we:

• have a designated equity champion to drive equity initiatives and provide an equity perspective
• link with other organisations or services if needed to support specific needs

  For example:

  • kaiāwhina
  • gender-affirming health services
  • cultural or community organisations
  • iwi or hāpu services
  • disability health services
  • refugee health services
• offer professional development opportunities to strengthen cultural capability and ensure cultural safety
• ensure team members understand the principles of health equity, and their role in reducing inequity
• use patient information and data to deliver targeted equitable services for our Māori population and address Māori health priority areas. These are outlined in our Māori Health Plan.
• engage with other organisation and partners to design health care that meets the needs of our community
• allocate time for staff to run equity audits and work on equity plans and projects.

See also Diversity, Cultural Safety, and Patient Data.

Equity champion

The equity champion:

• orientates and mentors team members about equity and our organisation's goals
• understands the breakdown of marginalised/under-served groups in our population
• provides the clinical governance group with information on equity initiatives and areas of concern
• promotes and progresses equitable health outcomes
• oversees regular audits of patient ethnicity data.

Our management team empower the equity champion to raise issues of inequity and take steps to address any concerns. We allocate time and resources for them to work on equity issues.

Clinical governance

Equity is a core area of clinical governance. The equity champion is part of our clinical governance group and equity is a standing item on the meeting agenda.