In New Zealand, a doctor must comply with legal and compliance requirements established by the Medical Council of New Zealand (MCNZ) and various pieces of legislation, including the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003 (HPCA Act). These regulations are in place to ensure patient safety and maintain professional standards. 

Registration and competence

  • Annual Practising Certificate (APC): A doctor must hold a current APC from the MCNZ to practice legally.
  • Scope of Practice: A doctor is only permitted to practice within their specified scope of practice, as authorised by the MCNZ.
  • Continuing Professional Development (CPD): Doctors must meet the MCNZ’s minimum requirements for ongoing education and professional development to maintain their competence. If you hold general registration, you will be required to enroll with InPractice who will outline your yearly CPD requirements. If you hold Vocational registration, these requirements with be set by your relevant College.
  • Maintaining Competence: The MCNZ sets standards for clinical and cultural competence and can review a doctor’s competence if a concern is raised. 

Ethics and standards of practice

Good Medical Practice: This is a core document from the MCNZ that sets out the ethical and professional standards for doctors. It covers things like:

  • Patient care: Treating patients with respect, dignity, and compassion.
  • Informed consent: Ensuring patients understand their condition and proposed treatments so they can make informed decisions.
  • Confidentiality: Maintaining patient privacy

Cultural Safety: Doctors are required to meet cultural safety standards, which involves creating a safe environment for patients to be involved in their own healthcare decisions.

Professional Boundaries: Maintaining appropriate boundaries in the doctor-patient relationship, including specific guidance on relationships with current and former patients.

Conflicts of Interest: There are regulations for interactions with health-related commercial organisations and managing conflicts of interest.

Personal healthcare: You’re not able to treat yourself or your family in New Zealand so you’ll need to enrol with a GP for personal health needs.

Coles Medical Practice in NZ: covers the legal, regulatory and professional ethical conduct requirements that are the norm for practicing in NZ.

Patient rights and information

  • Code of Health and Disability Services Consumers’ Rights: This code, enforced by the Health and Disability Commissioner (HDC), establishes the rights of consumers and the duties of healthcare providers. It covers:
    • The right to be treated with respect.
    • The right to make an informed choice.
    • The right to complain.
  • Health Information Privacy Code 2020: This code sets specific rules for health agencies on how they collect, store, use, and disclose patient health information, ensuring patient privacy is protected. 

Other legal and regulatory obligations

  • Medicines Act 1981: This legislation governs the prescribing, sale, and supply of medicines.
  • Disciplinary Processes: The MCNZ and the Health Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal are responsible for investigating and addressing complaints about a doctor’s conduct, competence, or health.
  • Advertising: Any advertising for a doctor’s services has to be truthful and not misleading, and comply with MCNZ standards and the Fair Trading Act.
  • Employee Requirements: If you’re employing staff, your practice must comply with New Zealand employment law, including tax and ACC obligations.