Key Points:

• It is not a medical record.
• The Patient, family or caregiver completes the Passport.
• It may contain as much or as little information as the patient wants to share.
• The Health Passport stays with the patient at all times.
• It needs to be accessible to anyone who works with the patient.
• It goes home with the patient.

What is the Health Passport?

The Health Passport is a booklet that contains information that people who may have communication difficulties want staff to know about them.  It focuses on the care and support needs of that person.

The Health Passport initiative is led by the Health & Disability Commission.  Waitemata DHB is the third DHB in NZ to roll-out the Passport in this national initiative.

Whose Health Passport is it?

The Passport belongs to the patient, is kept and updated by him or her, and comes with the person to hospital.

Copies can be made for DHB records, but the original Passport goes home with the patient.

Who will use the Health Passport?

The Health Passport was originally developed for people with intellectual disabilities, but can be used by anyone who may benefit from a communication tool.  This includes people who use English as a second language, older adults and people with disabilities, but may be used by anyone who wants to use it.

Who completes the Health Passport?

The person, a member of their family or their caregiver, complete the bits of the Health Passport that they want staff to know about.

People only need to complete the information that is relevant to them.  Some Health passports may have very little information in them, while others will be full of information.  It is up to the patient.

Are there any issues around privacy?

This is a patient owned communication tool.  It should be visible and easily accessible to all staff and should be with the patient at all times. 

Where is the Waitemata DHB Logo?

Because it is a national initiative led by the Health & Disability Commission there will not be individual DHB logos on the Health Passport.

Why have a national Health Passport? 

The aim is to make it easy to use in all New Zealand hospitals.  As people move between hospitals, the Health Passport will remain the same, making communication easier for both staff and patients.

Why is there no medication listed on the Health Passport?

The risk of the medication being incorrect and/or different to the patient’s medical record was considered high and so it was decided not to include lists of medication in the Health Passport.

Where do I get copies of the Health Passport?

• At the Hospital receptions
• In the Emergency Department
• At GP Surgeries (from 2012)
• Disability Service providers in the Community
• Download from www.hdc.org.nz

How can I provide feedback about the design of the Health Passport?

If you have any comments about using the Health Passport, either as staff or as a consumer, please feedback to the Health & Disability Commission www.hdc.org.nz or to Samantha Dalwood, Disability Strategy Coordinator, Waitemata District Health Board.

I would like more information – who do I talk to?

Samantha Dalwood, Disability Strategy Coordinator: samantha.dalwood@waitematadhb.govt.nz

Direct: +64 9 442 3289           Mobile: 021 221 7810     Ext: 2289