133 Molesworth Street
PO Box 5013
Wellington 6140
New Zealand
T+64 4 496 2000
2, fEB 2010
Amy S Van Wey Lovatt
By email: [FYI request #12083 email]
Ref:
H202000328
Dear Amy
Response to your request for official information
Thank you for your request under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act) on 25 January 2020
for information on New Zealand Standards applicable to medical practitioners and laboratories.
A copy of your request, including information in response to your questions is outlined below.
“I respectfully request a complete list of all "legal, professional, ethical and other relevant
standards" that medical doctors in NZ must comply with.”
The Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003 (HPCA Act)
The HPCA Act provides a framework for the regulation of health practitioners in order to protect
the public where there is a risk of harm from professional practice. It outlines mechanisms to
ensure that practitioners are competent and fit to practise their professions for the duration of
their professional lives. Further information on this is available on the Ministry of Health (the
Ministry) website at the following address:
https://health.govt.nz/our-work/regulation-health-and-
disability-system/health-practitioners-competence-assurance-act.
The Health and Disability Services (Safety) Act
HealthCERT certifies health care providers under this legislation. Services are required to meet
the relevant standards which are:
• Health and Disability Services Standards 2008 (NZS 8134:2008).
• Fertility Services Standard 2007 (NZS 8181:2007) (for fertility providers).
Listed below are types of services that require certification under this Act:
a) Aged residential care services (rest homes);
b) Inpatient hospital services, public and private (i.e. DHBs, surgical);
c) Residential disability services (intellectual, physical, sensory or psychiatric disabilities);
and
d) Fertility service providers.
Further information about this legislation is available on the Ministry website at the following
address:
https://health.govt.nz/our-work/regulation-health-and-disability-system/certification-
health-care-services/health-and-disability-services-safety-act
The National Ethical Standards
Additionally, the National Ethical Standards for Health and Disability Research and Quality
Improvement
(https://neac.health.govt.nz/) provides ethical standards which are to be followed
by anyone who is undertaking health and disability research in New Zealand. Most regulatory
agencies such as the Medical Council of New Zealan
d (https://mcnz.org.nz/) are likely to have
their own Code of Ethics that practitioners need to follow for their continued registration
.
“I respectfully request a complete list of all "legal, professional, ethical and other relevant
standards" that all medical laboratories which receive public funding (directly or as a contracted
provider) must comply with.”
The Health Information Standards Organisation (HISO) supports the development and adoption
of health information standards in New Zealand. Available on the Ministry website are some
approved laboratory information standards which contain information in response to your
request:
https://health.govt.nz/our-work/digital-health/digital-health-sector-architecture-
standards-and-governance/health-information-standards-0/approved-standards/laboratory-
information-standards. You may also refer to the following agencies for further information on laboratory standards in
New Zealand:
• Medical Sciences Council of New Zealan
d: https://mscouncil.org.nz/
• International Accreditation New Zealand (IANZ):
https://ianz.govt.nz/services/accreditation-2/accreditation/laboratories/
I trust that this information fulfils your request. Under section 28(3) of the Act you have the right
to ask the Ombudsman to review any decisions made under this request.
Please note that this response, with your personal details removed, may be published on the
Ministry website.
Yours sincerely
Keriana Brooking
Deputy Director-General
Health System Improvement and Innovation
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