The Medical Council of New Zealand: performance review report (May 2010)

Background

This report follows a request in late 2009 from the Medical Council of New Zealand (MCNZ) for CHRE to undertake a full performance review of that organisation. The performance review was carried out in March and April 2010. 

The role of the MCNZ

Although the structure of healthcare regulation in New Zealand is markedly different from the UK in both philosophy and organisation, the MCNZ’s role and responsibilities are similar to those of the General Medical Council and other UK healthcare professional regulators. In brief, it has five main functions, which are to:

• Set and promote standards that doctors must meet before and after they are admitted to the register
• Maintain a register of those doctors who meet the standards. Only registered practitioners with a current practising certificate are allowed to work as doctors
• Take appropriate action where a doctor’s fitness or competence to practise has been called into question
• Ensure high standards of education for those training to be a doctor, including hospital internship placements and new vocational scopes of practice
• Recognise, accredit and set programmes to develop the competence of doctors

Summary

As part of the review, we audited a small number of conduct, health and performance cases considered by the Medical Council of New Zealand, reviewed documentary evidence, observed a Council meeting, observed a meeting in which conduct, health and performance cases were discussed and spoke with key stakeholders.

We found that other countries could learn much from the rehabilitative and collegiate approach to regulation that has been adopted in New Zealand. However we considered that this approach needed to be augmented by greater openness and accountability and by increased public and patient involvement.

We published our report in June 2010 and the Medical Council of New Zealand’s action plan developed in response to the report in October 2010.