Proposed changes to the Act regulating health professionals appear “ideologically driven” and put more power in the hands of politicians and employers, says the New Zealand Nurses Organisation.
The NZNO submission on the review of the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003 is one of 142 lodged before submissions closed at the end of October.
Susanne Trim, NZNO professional services manager, said the act had been extensively reviewed in the last few years and found to be “functional, flexible, and working well”. She said nurses believed the current review was unnecessary and the Government seemed determined to reduce regulation.
“The Government’s proposed changes to the Act seem to be ideologically driven,” said Trim. “They will place decisions on the requirements for health practitioners in the hands of politicians and employers. If these changes happen, our health service will be at the whim of political agendas and public safety will be at risk.”
Health Workforce New Zealand director Brenda Wraight and chair Des Gorman said in a recent statement that the primary aim of the Act remained the protection and promotion of public safety. But the Act also needed to take into account the “changing health environment” where practitioners work in multidisciplinary teams, allow practitioners to “work flexibly and at the top of their professional scope” and facilitate the collection of data and information on the health workforce.
Submissions and feedback from consultation meetings is currently being collaged. HWNZ said further consultation on any proposed changes to the Act were scheduled to take place in March and April 2013 before a final report on the review is submitted to cabinet.
