Principle 5: Culturally Safe Practice

Introduction

The following is one of a group of principles which recognise the particular needs of tamariki and rangatahi receiving health and disability support services. The principles describe what should be provided when your child or young person receives those services.

The principles are based on expert opinion and a considerable body of literature in Aotearoa New Zealand and overseas and they have been developed after wide consultation.

See a listing of 14 principles guiding provision of health and disability services

Culturally safe practice

Principle: Healthcare and disability support services should provide culturally safe services to all tamariki (children), rangatahi (young people) and their whānau (families).

Healthcare and disability support services should be culturally safe. Services need to be flexible enough to respond in an acceptable, culturally appropriate and safe way for tamariki and rangatahi and their whānau of all cultures.

You have the right to have your belief and value systems responded to sensitively and have all aspects of your religion, food, prayer, dress, privacy, customs etc respected.

You can expect:

• the service provider to take account of the language, culture and religion of your whānau
• healthcare staff to work holistically and in partnership with your whānau to find out and respect your beliefs, and take these into account when delivering their service
• interpreting services to be available
• interpreters that are booked before your appointment wherever possible
• your child to never be used as an interpreter - this can put you and your child under considerable stress and limit communication
• support for access to the spiritual care of your choice - kaumatua, chaplain services and cultural support are usually readily available - you will need to tell your healthcare provider if your needs are specific and different from those provided
• to be able to have a support person or people present with you