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A new report from the Health and Disability Commissioner (HDC) has highlighted ongoing barriers disabled people face when accessing healthcare, revealing widespread concerns about a system that many say is failing to meet their needs.
The report, Disabled People’s | Tāngata Whaikaha Experiences of Health Services, analysed complaints made to the HDC between 2023 and 2025 and found recurring issues affecting disabled people’s ability to access safe, respectful, and equitable healthcare.
Over the three-year period, the HDC received approximately 1,800 complaints from disabled people about health services. A detailed review of 176 complaints identified persistent concerns around person-centred care, cultural responsiveness, informed consent, coordination of services, and the management of coexisting health and disability conditions.
Deputy Health and Disability Commissioner Rose Wall said the findings reflect concerns that disabled people have raised for many years, despite their frequent interactions with the health system.
The report found disabled people continue to experience poorer health outcomes than the wider population, with both implicit and explicit biases towards disability contributing to unequal treatment and barriers to care.
It also identified significant gaps in service design, communication, and coordination between agencies, creating additional challenges for disabled people navigating complex healthcare and support systems.
The HDC is calling for a coordinated, cross-agency response to address the issues identified in the report. Health New Zealand and Disability Support Services have been identified as lead agencies that should work together to improve outcomes and reduce barriers faced by disabled people.
Among the report’s recommendations is a stronger focus on providing reasonable accommodations for disabled people and improving the accessibility of services across the health sector.
The report also highlights the need for greater investment in workforce training to ensure healthcare professionals have a better understanding of disability rights, the diverse experiences of disability communities, and the support needs of disabled patients.
A key message from the report is the importance of ensuring disabled people are directly involved in shaping the policies and services that affect them. The HDC says the voices and leadership of disabled communities must remain central to efforts aimed at creating safer, more accessible, and more responsive healthcare services.
The Health and Disability Commissioner says it will continue working with healthcare providers and government agencies to monitor progress and advocate for system-wide improvements.
The report comes amid growing calls for greater equity in healthcare and renewed attention on ensuring all New Zealanders can access services that uphold their dignity, rights, and wellbeing.
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