Needs Assessment and Service Co-ordination is the entry into publically funded Community Support Services for:

• people over 65 years who have a disability that will last longer than 6 months and results in a reduction of independent function to the extent that ongoing support is required
• people who have a need for short term personal health support  – i.e. following an admission to hospital
• people requiring Meals on Wheels
• people requiring home based services who have palliative care needs
• people aged less than 65 years who have a chronic health condition long term disability and very high support needs as a result of chronic disease who meet the eligibility for the Chronic Health Conditions Long Term Support Service [CHC LTS]. This service was previously known as the Interim Funding Pool [IFP].

NASC has a range of professional clinical Needs Assessors and a wide cultural mix. 

The assessments can be carried out for people living in their homes or when they are in Middlemore Hospital/Manukau Surgery Centre or in residential care, either at rest home or hospital level, to evaluate the needs, strengths and preference of the older person.  The assessment tool used is interRAI - an internationally validated needs assessment tool.

 Services Provided

 NASC will link you to the services to meet your identified needs; these may include but are not limited to the following:

• Domestic assistance / household management
• Personal cares – (showering, grooming etc) both short term and long term
• Meals on Wheels
• Day care
• Carer support
• Palliative care
• Respite care
• Residential care – (NASC will give you subsidy forms to complete if you need to apply for the Government Residential Care subsidy)
• Social Worker referrals.

Counties Manukau Health NASC is committed to providing services which support the Positive Aging, Disability Strategy and the Health of Older People's Strategy.

For over 65 years NASC and Personal Health Services you can be referred to the service by your health professional, friend, family or refer yourself. Please use this referral form and include the clients weight and height Counties Manukau Health NASC Referral Form

The NASC Service assesses all referrals for eligibility/need/risk. Any client with an urgent need will be seen as soon as possible. All referrals are given a priority rating. If urgent a Needs Assessor would be in contact with you within 1-2 working days. While your referral is being processed should your need become urgent, you can phone and ask to discuss this with the Duty Needs Assessor on (09) 276 0044 ext 9622.

A comprehensive interRAI Needs Assessment may take up two hours; you are welcome to have family/whanau/friend and/or an interpreter with you during this assessment.

Please ensure that all dogs are restrained when you are expecting the Needs Assessor and that any hazards are identified to the Needs Assessor prior to their visit. 

The Privacy Act and Patients Code of Rights will be discussed with you on the Needs Assessor's first visit.

The assessment tool used is called "interRAI"- this is an internationally validated needs assessment tool and is completed electronically by the Needs Assessor while with you. The Needs Assessor will discuss support options with you and your family at this visit. This may be by informal support through your family, friends, community services or by contracted services through one of the Counties Manukau Health contracted home support service providers, residential care facilities, or if you do not meet the criteria for publicly funded services the Needs Assessor will be able to discuss private payer options with you. 

Following a Needs Assessment and the Service Co-ordination, a summary of your support plan will be sent to you and to your GP. A support plan is a letter that confirms which services have been arranged for you and who the provider responsible for providing these services will be. The provider will then contact you to arrange implementation of the services requested.

If you do not meet the criteria for publicly funded services the Needs Assessor will be able to discuss private payer options with you.

Chronic Health Conditions Long Term Support Services [CHC-LTS was IFP] - Applications are received by the NASC Service and are screened for eligibility using National and Regional guidelines.

For Chronic Health Conditions Long Term Support Service people aged less than 65 years with a chronic health condition can be referred to by a health professional. It is essential the Chronic Health Conditions Long Term Support Service application form is completed when making a referral.

For the above chronic long term services please download and use the CHC-LTS referral form

• New Zealand citizens and residents free - providing the client meets the eligibility criteria for publically funded support services. The Needs Assessor will discuss this at your assessment. Proof of residency will be required.
• Non New Zealand residents – do not qualify and are not entitled to access publically funded services.