The Government Policy Statement (GPS) on Health 2024-27 identifies the health workforce as one of the priority areas for the health system.
The GPS, released on 30 June 2024, highlights the health workforce as an essential enabler to achieve health system outcomes. It sets the expectation that regulatory settings related to the workforce are reviewed, to retain, value, and recognise the workforce.
The Ministry of Health is looking at options to improve health workforce regulatory settings. The Ministry is looking at international best practice on health workforce regulatory systems and patient safety, and considering how these models could be adapted to suit New Zealand’s unique needs. We are also drawing on New Zealand’s experience responding to acute workforce pressures during the COVID-19 pandemic, which showed the benefits of empowering health workers to grow their skills.
This work is not a review of the performance of individual Responsible Authorities (RAs). The purpose is to consider whether the regulatory settings established in 2003 remain the most effective and suitable approach to regulating the health workforce of 2024 and beyond. Views expressed in the briefings followed consultation with stakeholders and consideration of research into regulatory best practice and international approaches.
The Ministry is still developing proposals to improve health workforce regulatory settings, for public consultation. Proposals identified as a preferred option for consultation in the relevant briefing (H2024037240) indicate the Ministry’s position at that time. They were options for consultation, not policy decisions. The Ministry is focused on the desired outcomes and functions of the health workforce regulatory system and is considering a wide range of policy options to achieve them.
The Ministry is developing options through discussions with key stakeholders and intends to hold public consultation before recommendations are made.
