As you may be aware, on February 28, 2022, the updated Ngā Paerewa Health and Disability Services Standard NZS 8134:2021 will come into effect. NZS 8134:2021 will supersede Standard 8134:2008. These changes reflect the shift towards more person- and whānau-centred health and disability services, where people are empowered to make decisions about their own care and support.

All providers with consent to assess against dementia unit standards 23920, 23921, 23922, 23923 and 32416 will need to ensure that resources and assessment materials are reflective of NZS 8134:2021 by the end of February, including those considering enabling and restraint.

It is important to note that these 2021 updates will supersede current guidelines and principles in the affected unit standards from February 28, 2022, as these unit standards are not currently up for review.

You can find out more about the Ngā Paerewa Health and Disability Services Standard here, and if you have any queries, please email us.