June 2013
Current Progress
The Ministry of
Health’s Review of the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance (HPCA) Act
2003, conducted by Health Workforce NZ have now agreed the next steps of this
process.
They noted that
the majority of submissions considered that the HPCA Act remains a robust
framework for the protection of public safety, and that significant legislative
change was unnecessary. After much consideration of the
submissions, there have been few areas identified where legislative change is
justified.
Since only a small
number of changes to the HPCA Act are proposed, Health Workforce New Zealand
will progress the review by convening three focus groups to discuss the
proposals. Responsible Authority Board chairs will be invited to attend one of
two focus groups. The third focus group will have participants from across the
sector. They will consider and provide views and advice about the small set of
proposals for change. This approach is intended to target discussion at those
groups most affected by the proposed changes.
The focus groups
will meet on 1, 2 and 3 July 2013. Individuals will be approached about their
interest in participating.
Following the
focus group discussions, Health Workforce New Zealand will provide advice to
the Minister about final recommendations from the review, taking into account
the views and advice of the focus groups participants.
March 2013
CURRENT PROGRESS
Health Workforce New Zealand expects to release a second discussion document for the review of the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003 by the end of March 2013.
There will be an eight week period in which the
health sector and public can provide written submissions. The discussion
document will summarise the major themes and points of view that came through
in the first stage of the consultation, set out some discussion points and ask
for comments on options for moving forward.
The
final report to Government is due in July 2013.
September 2012
2012 Review of the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003: A discussion document
This publication is about a review of the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003 (the Act).
The main purpose of the HPCA Act is to protect the health and safety of the public. The review will look at how HPCA Act is functioning within the wider health system and how it (or the broader regulatory environment) could be improved. International trends in health occupational regulation point to a strengthening of consumer protection, standardisation of legislation and the design of institutions, and improving the performance of regulatory authorities and considering these trends will form part of the review.
The scope of this review has been agreed by Cabinet and will ensure the Act retains the ability to safeguard health practitioners’ competence; but in a way that supports the delivery of the workforce required both now and for the future.
The Review will assess how:
- the Act supports the delivery of the workforce required both now and for the future
- the pastoral care of the health and welfare of health professionals to support the sustainability of the workforce can be improved
- a robust data collection system to inform sector intelligence and planning can be developed
- the Act can work effectively within the wider health environment and whether the purpose of the Act remains fit for purpose
- the health occupational regulatory settings can be improved
- the Act can provide optimal levels and types of regulation for the next five to ten years
- the operational functioning of the Act can be improved.
The discussion document has a focus on four principles to guide the review.
- Future focus
A health occupational regulatory framework that supports workforce flexibility, working in multidisciplinary teams and clinically networked environments - Consumer focus
Operation of the HPCA Act in a way that is accessible and transparent for consumers - Safety focus
A systems perspective that balances individual accountability with team and organisational accountabilities for the management of consumer safety - Cost effectiveness focus
The level of regulation is matched to the level of risk of harm to the public and ensures value for money is maintained
A staged approach will be taken to the review, including a full public consultation.
Australia moves a step closer to registration
July 2012
The consultation paper on paramedic regulation/registration in Australia has been released. There is to be a two month consultation period.
Ambulance New Zealand will be submitting a submission on behalf of members. A draft for members to feedback on will be circulated in early August.
The Australian Consultation document can be downloaded here.
Ambulance New Zealand submits application to Ministry of Health for regulation of the paramedic workforce.
June 2011
Ambulance New Zealand submitted its comprehensive application for regulation of the paramedic and Defence Force medic roles to the Ministry of Health. Due to the current review of the HPCA Act this application will not be considered until the legislative review is complete - anticipated to be early 2013.
The application can be downloaded here.