Some health services have, however, been able to show expertise in serving disabled people and their whānau throughout COVID-19. Several submissions singled out Māori and Pacific healthcare providers in this regard: “Feedback from our staff supporting whānau in Northland, Auckland, Tairawhiti and Waikato talk of the immense support from Māori and Iwi providers. This was also the story of Pasifika providers in Auckland.” (Submission) “The four Māori providers in South Auckland have done everything they can to assist disabled people as have [Pacific providers]. They have offered food, wellness support, everything in their powers often well beyond any contract they have with the DHBs.” (Submission) “Māori providers are doing everything they can while they’re underfunded. Pasifika providers have been amazing.” (Māori submission) Many submissions also highlighted the significant role played by general practice throughout COVID-19 in providing essential information and support around COVID-19 when a disabled person or whānau member tested positive for COVID-19. However, difficulties in accessing general practice services were a common theme amongst submissions. Specific concerns include problems with: • Booking appointments with a general practitioner (GP) • Enrolling with or changing GPs, largely due to ‘closed books’ in many general practices • Long waits to receive follow up calls for GPs • Relying on telephone consults or video calls rather than face-to-face appointments, which makes GP care inaccessible for some disabled people and their whānau. “The lack of understanding by medical practices that phone consultations do not work for some people with disabilities. They need the face-to-face in person, as most of us do not have access or ability to use [Microsoft] Teams for an appointment.” (Submission) Submissions also noted that often disabled people were told to talk to their GPs about COVID-19 related health and disability issues, for example by ACC or DHBs, but many GPs were not aware of this and were not able to answer their questions. This was considered an extension of poor communication and information issues discussed earlier. Several submissions highlighted the worry and stress that was worsened through Omicron and the ongoing pandemic response. However, there are limited mental health supports available to disabled people and their whānau: “[There has been] lesser access to mental health and addiction supports, particularly peer groups. For people supporting whānau members with high substance dependency, no access to support programs has been problematic.” (Submission) 35