Main Navigation Links
Disability Support Advisory Committee: Terms of Reference
1.0 COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD
1.1 The Disability Support Advisory Committee is a committee of the Board of Capital and Coast DHB established in terms of section 35 of the New Zealand Public Health and Disability Act (the Act). The Terms of Reference are supplementary to the provisions of the Act and Schedule 4 to the Act and are effective from 2 February 2008.
2.0 FUNCTIONS OF THE COMMITTEE
2.1 In terms of clause 3 of schedule 4 to the Act, the functions of the Committee are to give the Board advice on:
- the disability support needs of the resident population of the DHB; and
- priorities for use of the disability support funding provided.
2.2 The aim of the Committee’s advice must be to ensure that the following promote the inclusion and participation in society, and maximise the independence, of the people with disabilities within the DHB’s resident population:
(a) The kinds of disability support services the DHB has provided or funded or could provide or fund for those people; and
(b) All policies the DHB has adopted or could adopt for those people.
2.3 The committee’s advice may not be inconsistent with the New Zealand Health Strategy or the New Zealand Disability Strategy. The Committee will take account of sections 22, 23 and 26 of the Act in carrying out its functions.
2.4 The Committee should review these terms of reference from time to time and gain approval from the Board on any changes required. Detailed objectives and accountabilities for the Committee appear in the schedule to these Terms of Reference.
3.0 DELEGATED POWERS
3.1 The Committee does not have any additional delegated Board powers or functions.
4.0 MEMBERSHIP AND PROCEDURE
4.1 Membership of the Committee and matters of procedure are provided for in Schedule 4 to the Act together with the Board Meeting Guidelines.
4.2 Membership of the Committee shall be determined by the Board from time to time. The Committee shall consist of:
(a) Up to three, non-executive Board members and
(b) Up to six independent non-Board members where the required skills are not available from existing Board members.
(c) Committee members from the Board itself should have a background that is compatible with Committee’s duties.
4.3 Committee appointments shall be approved annually (or more frequently if required). The Chairperson of the Committee shall be appointed by the Chairperson of the Board. The Board Chair and Board Deputy Chair shall be alternate ex officio members of the Committee.
4.4 Matters of procedure shall be provided for by the Act and the Board and Committee Standing Orders adopted by the Board. A quorum is a majority of Committee members. The Committee shall meet bi-monthly except where circumstances require more frequent meetings.
4.5 The Committee shall review, discuss and assess its own performance as well as the Committee role and responsibilities, seeking input from senior DHB management, the full Board and others. Changes in role and/or responsibilities, if any, shall be recommended to the full Board for approval.
4.6 The Committee will be serviced and fully supported by a person engaged as secretary for this purpose by the Chief Executive. The secretary will be competent to provide normal secretarial duties as well as liaison and related activities to ensure that the Committee is able to fulfil its functions.
5.0 ACCESS
5.1 The Committee members will have access to all DHB information to assist them to execute their duties, obligations and accountabilities. All information remains the property of the DHB and will be used for lawful purpose.
Information governed by privacy legislation, including information relating to personal health record will not be available to Committee members except with the express authorisation of the Committee Chairperson, the Chairperson of the Board, and the Chief Executive. Committee members shall disclose and resolve any conflicts of interest as soon as they become aware of them.
The Chief Executive will ensure all information requests are handled in a timely manner (in consultation with the person making the request). The Committee is empowered to call for reports from management and, with the prior consent of the Board, to take independent advice.
6.0 REPORTING BY THE COMMITTEE
6.1 Minutes of Committee meetings shall be available to the DHB Board with any recommendations presented for consideration.
7.0 SCHEDULE
7.1 DETAILED OBJECTIVES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES
(a) To provide advice to the Board on the disability support needs of the resident population of the District Health Board
(b) To provide advice to the Board on the health and wellbeing of the population of older persons
(c) To provide advice to the Board on priorities for use of the disability support funding available
(d) To provide advice to the Board on the systems and procedures in place to ensure that the range and type of disability support services provided or funded by the DHB, as well as policies DHB has adopted or should consider, demonstrably maximise the independence of people with disabilities within the DHBs resident population.
(e) To provide advice to the Board on where advocacy and/or community engagement with external parties and organisations may improve the way their practices assist those experiencing disability [eg public transport providers].
(f) To consider and where appropriate make recommends on the disability support component of the district annual plan and the district strategic plan.
(g) To provide advice to the Board on the policy framework and evaluation criteria that should be applied policies relating to design, purchase and provision of disability services for the district.
(h) To develop an annual Committee work plan, based on these detailed objectives and accountabilities of the Committee, for the Board’s consideration and approval.
(i) To identify and where appropriate make recommendations to the Board on any additional expert assistance/advice that may be required to assist the Committee to fulfill its obligations and achieve its annual work plan.
(j) To report regularly to the Board on the Committee’s findings (the minutes of each meeting will be placed on the agenda of the next Board meeting).
Footer Links
