Accessing Services (Needs Assessment + Service Coordination)
Older Person's Health services range from personal care and domestic help, meals on wheels, carer support, respite care and long term age related residential care. Access to these DHB-funded services for older people in Southland is coordinated by Southern DHB's Needs Assessment and Service Coordination (NASC) team. What is a Needs Assessment?If you have a Long Term Age Related Disability, a Needs Assessor will meet with you (and any other family or support person you wish to have present) to determine what important daily living tasks you can do and what you have difficulty with. That might include mobility, memory, safety around the home, and so on. The Assessor can help to refer you to other specialist services who can support you. The result of this 'Assessment' determines the level of care and support you could require. A referral for needs assessment may come via telephone, fax or post from any of the following people:
At times of high demand, you may have to wait for your assessment, but if your needs are urgent, you will be given priority. The Assessor will explain your rights and responsibilities. You will receive a copy of the assessment. If you are not satisfied with the Needs Assessment or Service Co-ordination process, you may have them reviewed. What is Service Co-ordination?After a Needs Assessment has been completed, Service Co-ordination is the process of discussing with you which services might be available to meet your most important needs. Service Co-ordinators have extensive knowledge of all options including public, private, voluntary and community services. They will advise which of your needs can be met by publicly funded services and how they might be delivered, and will discuss ways of meeting needs not covered by those. A Service Co-ordinator will initially contact you by letter or telephone so that together you can discuss the needs identified in your Assessment. You may wish family or friends to be involved as well. The Co-ordinator can also:
Your service will be reviewed regularly (at least annually) to ensure that your needs are being met, or to determine if any changes are required. Funded Services:The Needs Assessment/Service Co-ordination process is essential prior to determining eligibility for any Southland DHB funded services under 'Older Person's Health'. Services specifically funded by the Southern DHB contain certain conditions. If you meet the eligibility criteria, assistance could include:
Your Service Co-ordinator will provide you with information and help you to access other non-funded, private, voluntary or community services, or other supports. Please contact our Service if you have any questions regarding eligibility for entry to any of these services. Cultural Needs /Policies /Your Rights:Please let us know of any specific cultural needs you may have so that we are able to refer you to the appropriate supports if you wish. This may include our Pacific Island Nurse Specialists or Te Huinga Tahi Maori Health Nurse Team. On entry to the Needs Assessment and Co-ordination Service, you will receive information on Southland DHB's policies regarding Privacy, Consent and Complaints. You will also receive information about the code of Health and Disability Services Consumer's rights. Contact Details:Needs Assessment and Service Co-ordination, Older Person's Health is located in the Old Nurses' Home at Southland Hospital, Invercargill. Disability Access is available to these offices. Needs Assessment and Service Coordination is a non-emergency service that covers the whole of Southland, including Queenstown, Arrowtown and Te Anau. Office hours are Monday to Friday excluding Public Holidays: 8:00am - 5:00pm. |