Council's submission on Putting Patients First: Modernising Health Workforce Regulation

The Medical Council of New Zealand (the Medical Council) welcomes the Government’s review of the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003 (HPCAA) and the opportunity to respond to the consultation document Putting Patients First: Modernising Health Workforce Regulation.

The Medical Council strongly supports the goal of building a modern regulatory system that is aligned to the needs of patients, practitioners, and the wider health system. We agree regulation must prioritise patient voices, reduce red tape, drive efficiencies, and streamline regulatory decision making. However, public safety must remain the priority. Patients deserve doctors who meet consistent, high standards of competence, professionalism, ethical behaviours, and accountability.

This submission responds to the four areas set out in the consultation, and outlines where we agree, where we see risks, and most importantly, how the Medical Council can continue to play an instrumental role in the solution.

Read our full submission [PDF, 222 KB]

Read our fact sheet  [PDF, 1.1 MB]