Latest news with #MedicalCouncilofNewZealand
Scoop
15-07-2025
- Health
- Scoop
Faster, Easier Registration For Overseas-Trained Doctors To Enter Aotearoa New Zealand's Medical Workforce
Te Kaunihera Rata o Aotearoa | Medical Council of New Zealand (Council) is pleased to announce a series of changes that will make it faster and easier for overseas-trained doctors to register and work in Aotearoa New Zealand — while continuing to uphold the safe standards of care that the public expects. The changes are part of the Council's commitment to supporting the medical workforce through faster, more efficient registration pathways. 'This is about getting qualified doctors into communities that need them — faster,' says Dr Rachelle Love, Chair of the Medical Council. 'At a time when the health system is under strain, these changes reflect our commitment to, practical solutions that support safe care and timely access for patients. These updates reflect Council's continued focus on practical steps that align with strengthening the medical workforce while protecting patient safety. In summary, the changes are: Fast-track registration for GPs from the USA, Canada and Singapore New countries recognised for registration – Chile, Luxembourg and Croatia Shorter processing time for other specialist registration applications 1. Fast-track registration for GPs from the USA, Canada and Singapore A new fast-track registration process has been introduced for GPs trained in the United States, Canada, and Singapore. Developed in partnership with the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners, this means that these applications for provisional vocational registration will be processed within two months. 2. New countries recognised for registration - Chile, Luxembourg and Croatia Doctors with recent clinical experience in Chile, Luxembourg, and the Republic of Croatia will now be eligible to apply for provisional general registration via the Comparable Health System pathway. This follows Japan and South Korea being added to the list in February 2025. This recognises their experience in a health system comparable to New Zealand and brings Council's list of comparable countries to 29, joining recent additions Japan and South Korea. Applications for doctors from overseas down the comparable health system pathway are processed within 20 working days. 3. Shorter assessment timeframes for overseas-trained specialists The fast-track registration pathway makes it easier and quicker for eligible doctors from the UK, Ireland and Australia to gain specialist registration and start practising in approved areas of medicine. The areas of medicine include anaesthesia, dermatology, emergency medicine, general practice, internal medicine pathology and psychiatry. Information can be found here. These applications are processed within 20 working days In addition to the fast-track pathway we have also improved timeframes for specialists applying from other countries through the provisional vocational registration pathway These applications will be processed within three months.
Scoop
15-07-2025
- Health
- Scoop
More International Doctors To Be Fast-Tracked
Minister of Health The Government has welcomed the announcement by the Medical Council of New Zealand that will see doctors from Chile, Luxembourg, and Croatia added to the Comparable Health System pathway, which will streamline the registration process and help strengthen New Zealand's frontline health workforce, Health Minister Simeon Brown says. 'This is a practical step that will help us get more doctors into hospitals and clinics across the country more quickly,' Mr Brown says. 'New Zealand is in an international contest to train, attract, and retain skilled medical professionals. The addition of Chile, Luxembourg, and Croatia to the list of Comparable Health Systems will make it easier for qualified doctors from these countries to live and work in New Zealand.' The Comparable Health System pathway enables international medical graduates from certain countries to fast-track their registration with the Medical Council of New Zealand, provided their qualifications and training meet recognised standards. With this latest decision, there are now 29 countries on the list, following the inclusion of Japan and South Korea earlier this year in February 'New Zealand has long benefited from the skills and expertise of international medical professionals. They play a vital role in supporting our domestically trained workforce and ensuring patients can access timely, quality healthcare,' Mr Brown says. 'This builds on other initiatives the Government has to boost New Zealand's health workforce. Earlier this year I announced a two-year training programme to support up to 100 additional overseas-trained doctors into New Zealand's primary care workforce. 'Over 180 expressions of interest were received for this programme, exceeding the number of places available. This strong response shows that there is untapped potential in New Zealand. Overseas trained doctors are eager to work where they are most needed, and this Government is opening the door for them to do so. 'Through our record $16.68 billion investment across three Budgets, we are making sure our health system is properly resourced to meet the growing demands placed on it. That funding is already delivering results, with record funding for general practice to increase capacity, upgraded urgent care services across the country, and a new 24/7 digital health service. This is how we are putting patients first. 'The Medical Council's announcement adds to the body of work the Government is undertaking to rebuild our health system around the needs of patients, so that all New Zealanders can receive the timely, quality healthcare they need.' Note: Chile, Croatia, and Luxembourg join 26 other countries that New Zealand recognises as having a comparable health system: Australia Austria Belgium Canada Czech Republic Denmark Finland France Germany Greece Hong Kong Iceland Israel Italy Japan Norway Portugal Republic of Ireland Republic of Korea (South Korea) Singapore Spain Sweden Switzerland The Netherlands United Kingdom United States of America
Scoop
26-04-2025
- Health
- Scoop
Physician Associates To Be A Regulated Workforce
Press Release – New Zealand Government Regulating physician associates under the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003 demonstrates the Governments commitment to patient safety and providing high quality care. Minister of Health Physician associates will become a regulated profession that will contribute to New Zealand's talented workforce of health professionals delivering timely, quality healthcare to New Zealanders, Health Minister Simeon Brown has announced. 'Physician associates are overseas-trained health professionals who can evaluate, diagnose, and treat patients under the supervision of a doctor. 'They work in a range of health settings in New Zealand, such as general practice and hospitals, assisting with both clinical and administrative tasks to ensure patient needs are met. 'About 50 physician associates are currently employed across the country, with the workforce expected to grow over coming years. 'Regulating physician associates under the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003 demonstrates the Government's commitment to patient safety and providing high quality care. 'By regulating physician associates, they will be required to meet clear standards that are appropriate for the New Zealand health system, including training, supervision, and ongoing professional development.' The Government has recently made a series of announcements to enable more health professionals to prescribe the medicines patients need. These have included amending the Medicines Act to provide nurse practitioners greater prescribing rights, and changing regulations to allow podiatrists to prescribe medicines relating to their role. 'Ensuring that all New Zealanders have access to timely, quality healthcare is a priority for the Government. 'I look forward to seeing how health services use this growing resource to meet our priorities,' Mr Brown says. Notes: Physician associates will be regulated by the Medical Council of New Zealand, which has estimated physician associates will be able to start registering in 2026. They can still work up to that date because non-regulated health professionals are able to work in New Zealand. All health service providers, including physician associates, must comply with the Health and Disability Commissioner's (HDC) Code of Health and Disability Services Consumers' Rights. Physician associates are employed in approximately 27 health services throughout the country, most often in rural general practice clinics but also in hospitals.
Scoop
26-04-2025
- Health
- Scoop
Physician Associates To Be A Regulated Workforce
Press Release – New Zealand Government Regulating physician associates under the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003 demonstrates the Governments commitment to patient safety and providing high quality care. Minister of Health Physician associates will become a regulated profession that will contribute to New Zealand's talented workforce of health professionals delivering timely, quality healthcare to New Zealanders, Health Minister Simeon Brown has announced. 'Physician associates are overseas-trained health professionals who can evaluate, diagnose, and treat patients under the supervision of a doctor. 'They work in a range of health settings in New Zealand, such as general practice and hospitals, assisting with both clinical and administrative tasks to ensure patient needs are met. 'About 50 physician associates are currently employed across the country, with the workforce expected to grow over coming years. 'Regulating physician associates under the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003 demonstrates the Government's commitment to patient safety and providing high quality care. 'By regulating physician associates, they will be required to meet clear standards that are appropriate for the New Zealand health system, including training, supervision, and ongoing professional development.' The Government has recently made a series of announcements to enable more health professionals to prescribe the medicines patients need. These have included amending the Medicines Act to provide nurse practitioners greater prescribing rights, and changing regulations to allow podiatrists to prescribe medicines relating to their role. 'Ensuring that all New Zealanders have access to timely, quality healthcare is a priority for the Government. 'I look forward to seeing how health services use this growing resource to meet our priorities,' Mr Brown says. Notes: Physician associates will be regulated by the Medical Council of New Zealand, which has estimated physician associates will be able to start registering in 2026. They can still work up to that date because non-regulated health professionals are able to work in New Zealand. All health service providers, including physician associates, must comply with the Health and Disability Commissioner's (HDC) Code of Health and Disability Services Consumers' Rights. Physician associates are employed in approximately 27 health services throughout the country, most often in rural general practice clinics but also in hospitals.
Scoop
26-04-2025
- Health
- Scoop
Physician Associates To Be A Regulated Workforce
Minister of Health Physician associates will become a regulated profession that will contribute to New Zealand's talented workforce of health professionals delivering timely, quality healthcare to New Zealanders, Health Minister Simeon Brown has announced. 'Physician associates are overseas-trained health professionals who can evaluate, diagnose, and treat patients under the supervision of a doctor. 'They work in a range of health settings in New Zealand, such as general practice and hospitals, assisting with both clinical and administrative tasks to ensure patient needs are met. 'About 50 physician associates are currently employed across the country, with the workforce expected to grow over coming years. 'Regulating physician associates under the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003 demonstrates the Government's commitment to patient safety and providing high quality care. 'By regulating physician associates, they will be required to meet clear standards that are appropriate for the New Zealand health system, including training, supervision, and ongoing professional development.' The Government has recently made a series of announcements to enable more health professionals to prescribe the medicines patients need. These have included amending the Medicines Act to provide nurse practitioners greater prescribing rights, and changing regulations to allow podiatrists to prescribe medicines relating to their role. 'Ensuring that all New Zealanders have access to timely, quality healthcare is a priority for the Government. 'I look forward to seeing how health services use this growing resource to meet our priorities,' Mr Brown says. Notes: Physician associates will be regulated by the Medical Council of New Zealand, which has estimated physician associates will be able to start registering in 2026. They can still work up to that date because non-regulated health professionals are able to work in New Zealand. All health service providers, including physician associates, must comply with the Health and Disability Commissioner's (HDC) Code of Health and Disability Services Consumers' Rights. Physician associates are employed in approximately 27 health services throughout the country, most often in rural general practice clinics but also in hospitals.
