Disability in New Zealand

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Contracting with us

Auditing

Auditing provides an opportunity for an independent overview of the organisation and identification of areas that require development. Auditing should be anticipated by the manager of the organisation fulfilling the contract and should be accepted as a means of an ongoing quality improvement process. The manager should develop and implement self auditing mechanisms as early as possible. Such mechanisms will provide an ongoing measurable reflection of the organisation’s performance.

Copies of audit reports are available by request under the Official Information Act 1982.

Providers will usually be audited by independent, contracted audit agencies, to ensure safe, outcome focused and continuously improving service quality.

Your organisation may have a routine audit or an issues-based audit. Audits are carried out by a team of people with relevant experience.

Developmental Evaluations

Developmental evaluations give an independent overview of the service and provide information about service practices and the quality of life of people using services. The process identifies positive and innovative approaches that are occurring within the service, and provide a catalyst for ongoing learning and continuous improvement with identified areas of further development. The evaluation tool is centred on personal outcomes for people using the service and includes reference to the provider’s contract and the Health and Disability Sector Standards.

The agency should undertake evaluations as part of service delivery processes to ensure continuous improvement is occurring and people at the centre of service delivery are being supported to achieve the lifestyle they desire.

Copies of evaluation reports are available by request under the Official Information Act 1982.

Providers will usually be evaluated by independent, contracted evaluators, to ensure safe, outcome focused and continuously improving service quality. These will be carried out by a team of people with relevant experience.

Routine audits

A routine audit comprehensively evaluates the ability of the contracted organisation to provide a service. It can cover all parts of the service outlined in the contract the provider holds with the Ministry of Health.

Audits assure the Ministry of Health that the organisation has the necessary capability, resources, processes and procedures to provide the service as required by the contract. They can also identify any key risks that should be managed and identify the remedial work required to achieve compliance with contractual responsibilities.

Providers should:

• confirm the audit, the audit process and other arrangements with the lead auditor
• comply with requirements of auditors during the process
• sign that findings were presented by the quality auditor on completion of site visit and indicate agreement with the findings
• return the draft findings report with comments to the auditor within the timeframe stipulated
• if non-compliant, meet the requirements of the report within the timeframe agreed.

Issues-based audits

While routine audits are a planned activity, issues-based audits usually result from ongoing complaints, or concerns, about the service the provider is delivering. These audits follow the Disability Services audit methodology. Audits for Ministry-funded providers are approved and commissioned by the Disability Services Quality and Audit team.

Team members

Independent auditors/evaluators are contracted to conduct any audits/evaluations commissioned by the National Quality team, Health and Disability National Services. There will always be a consumer/family member included as part of the team. The size of the team will depend on the size of the organization. As part of the process feedback is sought from a number of sources. The following individuals and organisations may become involved in providing feedback to the team.

• consumers
• families
• operations staff
• provider
• consumer representatives/advocates
• external agencies
• complainant
• clinicians
• Ministry of Health
• Health and Disability Commissioner
• Needs Assessment and Service Co ordination organisations.

Page last updated: 23 November 2007