Quality Standards for Diabetes Care Toolkit

Standard 18

Vulnerable patients, including those in residential facilities and those with mental health or cognitive problems, should have access to all aspects of care, tailored to their individual needs.
Key practice points

Standard 18 considers vulnerable persons as, but not limited to, the following: Māori and Pacific peoples, older adults, those in residential care facilities, those with mental/cognitive health issues, those requiring advanced care planning, individuals in prison, immigrants and refugees.

Health care delivery and workforce development should be culturally appropriate (as determined by the individual or family/whānau).

Participation to their fullest ability in decisions about their health and wellbeing is encouraged.

Physical and mental health services should develop a closer alignment as mental health illness is often overlooked or misdiagnosed in people with intellectual disability.

Decreased cognitive function and poor health literacy may result in less self-management capability.

Offer individuals and their family/whānau the opportunity to discuss an end-of-life care plan, avoid unnecessary poly-pharmacy and consider de-escalation of treatment where appropriate.

Access to diabetes care for people in prison should be available as per national standards.

Immigrants or refugees often have high health needs and cultural and religious beliefs may impact on health care choices.

Read this standard in conjunction with the equality and diversity section in the Introduction to the Toolkit.