Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Report Review
FEBRUARY 2009
Submission to:
Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act Review
Debbie Taylor
Group Manager
Strategic Workforce Development Unit
Health & Disability Systems Strategy Directorate
Contact for this submission:
Professor Jenny Carryer, RN, PhD, FCNA (NZ), MNZM
Executive Director
College of Nurses (Aotearoa)
Clinical Chair of Nursing
Massey University / Mid Central District Health Board
PO Box 1258
PALMERSTON NORTH
Tel: 027 4491302
Email: J.B.Carryer@massey.ac.nz
This submission was prepared by Judy Yarwood and Debbie Penlington on behalf of the College of Nurses (Aotearoa) and the College welcomes the opportunity to provide comments on the recommendations of the report.
Questions on the proposed recommendations of the Review of the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act
Chapter 2: Overall
Recommendation 1: Agree. The Act is working relatively well, although costs of operating the Act remain problematic. It is good to see this review will lead to these issues being addressed
Chapter 3: Communication and engagement for stakeholders
Recommendation 2: Agree. The College of Nurses Aotearoa (The College) strongly supports the need for the public to be better informed as there are many who have little idea about the purpose and functions of the Act. This is particularly so in areas where vulnerable people remain at risk of an unregulated and unregistered workforce, eg Elder care
Recommendation 3: Agree. The College would like to see processes in place to ensure clear communication between practitioners, RA’s, DHBs and other employing agencies when it comes to reviewing scopes of practice.
Recommendation 4: Agree. Again transparency of processes is urged.
Recommendation 5: Agree.
Chapter 4: Collaboration among responsible authorities
Recommendation 6: Agree. The College agrees in principle however, any proposed development that is likely to change the intent of what is current practice within New Zealand would need full exploration of the implications for New Zealand employers and nurses.
Recommendation 7: Agree. Comments as stated in Recommendation 6 applicable here
Recommendation 8: Agree.
Chapter 5: The Ministry of Health’s role
Recommendation 9: Agree. We acknowledge the need to appoint members to responsible authorities however the College believes that skilled educators must be included among appointees to responsible authorities as the authority’s role includes overseeing related educational activities.
Recommendation 10: Agree.
Recommendation 11: Agree.
Recommendation 12: Agree.
Recommendation 13: Agree. The College supports the move toward consistency of reporting across all responsible authorities, a move which will provide transparency of processes, an aim of the Health Ministry.
Recommendation 14: Agree. Comments as stated in recommendation 13 are applicable here, and the College fully supports the move to have access and confidence in up to date accurate work force data
Chapter 6: Extension to the Act to further groups of practitioners
Recommendation 15: Agree.
Recommendation 16: Agree.
Recommendation 17: Agree.
Recommendation 18: Agree.
Recommendation 20: Agree.
Chapter 7: Complaints and disciplinary matters
Recommendation 19: Agree.
Recommendation 20: Agree.
Recommendation 21: Agree.
Recommendation 22: Agree.
Recommendation 23: Agree.
Recommendation 24: Agree.
Recommendation 25: Agree.
Recommendation 26: Agree
Recommendation 27: Agree
Chapter 8: Protected quality assurance
Recommendation 28: Agree
Recommendation 29: Agree.
Recommendation 30: Agree
Recommendation 31: Agree The College considers research into the value and use of protected quality assurances activities to be vital.
Chapter 9: Other issues for consideration
Recommendation 32: Agree. Agreement is given with caution as an emergency in a prolonged emergency such as a pandemic is open to interpretation and therefore abuse
Recommendation 33: Agree
Recommendation 34: Agree
Recommendation 35: Agree
Recommendation 36: Agree
Recommendation 37: Agree
Thank you again for the opportunity to submit comments on this report.
Judy Yarwood RN, MA (Hons) Dip Tchg (Tertiary)
Debbie Penlington RN, BA (Nsg), M Ed, Grad. Cert in Career Development, FCNA(NZ) |
