News & updates
Please find our most recent news and updates below. Use the dropdown at the top of the list to filter it to a specific type of update.
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We're reviewing our statement on Telehealth and are inviting feedback. Telehealth is a rapidly evolving area of practice. Our statement was last updated in October 2020. The focus at that time was on changes to facilitate prescribing in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. The current review is more comprehensive and aims to ensure our statement remains fit for purpose and is enabling.
We are now accepting applications via the new United Kingdom General Registrants pathway and the amended Examinations pathway.
We're reviewing our statement on medical certification and are seeking feedback. Issuing medical certificates can be a challenging part of medical practice. Our statement is often referred to by employers and other authorities. Our aim is to develop a statement that is clear and informative for these users, as well as for doctors.
We've added videos to help guide patients and other health consumers explaining how to make a notification, and the process that we follow when a notification is made
We are pleased to share with you Te Mahere Rautaki, Council's strategic plan, for 2022-2027. This plan outlines our key strategic priorities, outcomes, and the steps we will take to achieve them.
Te Kaunihera Rata o Aotearoa | The Medical Council of New Zealand (Council) approved the final version of the Doctors and health-related commercial organisations statement at its meeting in February 2023.
Te Kaunihera Rata o Aotearoa | Medical Council of New Zealand (the Council) invites proposals from suitable providers to deliver the full examination management and oversight of the NZREX Clinical.
Te Kaunihera Rata o Aotearoa | The Medical Council of New Zealand today released the results of its New Zealand Medical Workforce in 2022 survey.
Council’s Chair, Dr Curtis Walker, says “key findings show that while Māori and Pasifika doctors are increasing, there is still much more work to do to achieve a more proportional workforce. Māori and Pasifika remain noticeably under-represented compared to their proportion of the population.”
Council’s Chair, Dr Curtis Walker, says “key findings show that while Māori and Pasifika doctors are increasing, there is still much more work to do to achieve a more proportional workforce. Māori and Pasifika remain noticeably under-represented compared to their proportion of the population.”
The Minister of Health has announced two new initiatives targeted at overseas doctors who have passed their New Zealand Registration Examination (NZREX) examination in the last five years, allowing them to apply for roles in New Zealand that will lead to full registration as a doctor.
Consultation: Consideration of eligibility requirements for the New Zealand Registration Examination
The consultation is now closed and we are analysing the responses. We will update this page once we have made a decision on whether to introduce this requirement.
This consultation is closed. Thank you for considering the Medical Council of New Zealand’s recent consultation on the proposed Council fees and disciplinary levy, and thanks to the individuals and organisations who made submissions.
Te Kaunihera Rata o Aoteroa |The Medical Council of New Zealand today released the results of its New Zealand Medical Workforce in 2021 Survey.
Council’s Chair, Dr Curtis Walker says “key findings show that while Māori and Pasifika doctors remain under-represented in the medical workforce, the positive trends in undergraduate and graduate levels continue, with more Māori and Pasifika doctors in the workforce.”
Council’s Chair, Dr Curtis Walker says “key findings show that while Māori and Pasifika doctors remain under-represented in the medical workforce, the positive trends in undergraduate and graduate levels continue, with more Māori and Pasifika doctors in the workforce.”
We've extended our COVID-19 Pandemic scope of practice through to 31 March 2023. Doctors already registered in this scope of practice under an earlier notice can also be extended to 31 March 2023, subject to completion of the renewal process.
In August 2021, Te Kaunihera Rata o Aotearoa |Medical Council of New Zealand, underwent a full performance review that showed compliance to our obligations under the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003 (HPCAA).
Council have extended the scope of practice for all interns, to allow them to work in “COVID-19 related health services outside of accredited clinical attachments” until 15 January 2023. This includes placements in services that require cover, that are not directly related to the pandemic.
The Chair of Te Kaunihera Rata o Aotearoa | The Medical Council of New Zealand, Dr Curtis Walker, reinforced today that public health and safety remains the top priority for Council. His statement follows the recent interim suspension of the practising certificates of three doctors, Dr Peter Canaday, Dr Emanuel Garcia, and Dr Matthew Shelton, pending investigations for conduct relating to Covid-19 (section 69 HPCAA 2003).
He karanga manaaki ki ngā rata o te motu, With the COVID-19 lockdown in effect across the country in response to community transmission, Te Kaunihera Rata o Aotearoa would like to take the opportunity to thank the medical profession for once again being at the frontline of Aotearoa's national response.
The Medical Council has received a number of notifications this morning about a GP who sent a text message to patients that said he does not support COVID vaccinations. Council takes this matter very seriously. We are taking immediate steps which include communicating with the doctor today. Our primary focus is public safety.
The 25th annual Australian and New Zealand Prevocational Medical Education Forum is being held virtually on Monday 18 and Tuesday 19 October 2021.
The call for abstracts is now open for the virtual 2021 Australian and New Zealand Prevocational Medical Education Forum!