New Zealand has a public long term care system, coordinated by the Needs Assessment Service Coordination (NASC) agency, which is contracted by the MoH Disability Support Services unit to allocate ministry funded disability support services and to provide assistance with access to other supports (NASC, n.d.). This is a universal service available to all NZ citizens or residents who qualify for publicly funded health services.

Every person who wishes to receive funded disability support services must have a needs assessment to assess their requirements and this is prioritised based on need. The NASC role is to work with individuals and their families to identify their support needs, outline what services are available, and determine their eligibility for publicly funded support services. Any help received from existing supports such as other family members is taken into account during the assessment. Some services such as household support are means tested, but others including “personal cares” (e.g., assistance with showering, dressing, medications) are not.

References:

Ministry of Health. (2011). Needs Assessment and Support Services for Older People: What you need to know. Available from: https://www.health.govt.nz/system/files/documents/publications/support-services-older-plev2.pdf.

Needs assessment Service Coordination (NASC). (n.d.). Needs assessment Service Coordination services (website). Available from: https://www.health.govt.nz/your-health/services-and-support/disability-services/getting-support-disability/needs-assessment-and-service-coordination-services