Current standards

The principal function of the Medical Council of New Zealand is to protect the health and safety of the public by ensuring that doctors are competent and fit to practise. We do this by setting standards of clinical and cultural competence and ethical conduct for doctors.

Our current standards set out the principles and values that define good medical practice, and outline what we expect from doctors in all aspects of their professional behaviour.

Our current standards are used by the Health Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal, the Council and the Health and Disability Commissioner as benchmarks against which doctors are measured.

 

  • Advertising

    Statement

    Last updated 1 April 2022

    Many doctors advertise to create awareness of their skills, expertise and services. This statement sets out our expectations of doctors who advertise.

  • Cultural safety

    Statement

    Last updated 1 October 2019

    Council requires doctors to meet cultural safety standards. Cultural safety focuses on the patient and provides space for patients to be involved in decision-making about their own care, and contribute to the achievement of positive health outcomes and experiences.

  • Commercial organisations - doctors' responsibilities

    Statement

    Last updated 1 February 2023

    This statement outlines our expectations when doctors interact with health-related commercial organisations, and provides guidance on recognising, assessing and managing conflicts of interest (including perceived conflicts of interest) that may arise.

  • Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM)

    Statement

    Last updated 1 June 2022

    Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) refers to therapies and treatments that are not commonly accepted in conventional medical practice, but are sometimes used alongside or instead of conventional medical treatments. This statement guides doctors in situations where their patients are using CAM, and outlines what we expect when doctors practise CAM.

  • Concerns about another doctor

    Statement

    Last updated 1 April 2022

    This statement provides guidance for doctors who are concerned about a medical colleague's conduct, performance, competence or health, and provides suggestions on what to do and who to approach.

  • Cosmetic procedures

    Statement

    Last updated 1 November 2017

    This statement outlines Council's expectations of doctors who perform cosmetic procedures. These include standards relating to training, skill and expertise, advertising and obtaining consent from the patient.

  • Disclosure of harm

    Statement

    Last updated 26 January 2024

    Disclosure of harm refers to instances where a patient has been adversely affected as a direct result of medical care. This statement is intended to help doctors understand the purpose of open disclosure and why it matters to patients and their family/whānau. It also guides doctors on factors to consider when a situation requires that the harm is disclosed.

  • Doctor patient relationship - when another person is present

    Statement

    Last updated 1 June 2022

    A doctor or patient may request that another person is present during a consultation. This may be as a support person, interpreter, student, chaperone, or other reason. This statement outlines factors to consider and provides general guidance when another person attends a consultation between a doctor and a patient.

  • Ending a doctor patient relationship

    Statement

    Last updated 1 December 2020

    Doctor-patient relationships can come to an end for a variety of reasons, commonly when the patient moves to another area or chooses to see another doctor, but also when the relationship breaks down and either the doctor or patient decides to discontinue the professional relationship. We outline in this statement the process for discontinuing patient care, and the need to do so in a fair and professional manner.

  • End Of Life Choice Act

    Statement

    Last updated 26 October 2021

    Council has not issued standards specific to practice within the purpose of the End of Life Choice Act 2019 (EOLCA). Council considers that the provision of health services under the EOLCA falls within the wider practice of medicine, to which Council’s statements are directed. This document sets out existing Council statements alongside the relevant sections of the EOLCA.

  • Good medical practice

    Statement

    Last updated 1 December 2016

    Our "Good medical practice" publication provides guidance to doctors on the standards of practice we expect.

  • Informed consent

    Statement

    Last updated 1 June 2021

    Patients are entitled to information about their health and the care they are receiving. This statement outlines what we expect of doctors when helping patients to make an informed decision about their care and treatment.

  • Internet and electronic communication

    Statement

    Last updated 1 June 2021

    Internet, email, and other forms of electronic communication are ways in which doctors communicate with patients and other health professionals, find information, and participate in informed discussion. This statement guides doctors on the use of email and other forms of social media.

  • Management and governance - doctors' responsibilities

    Statement

    Last updated 1 June 2021

    During the course of a medical career, a doctor may be involved in management or have a leadership role. This statement outlines the standards doctors are expected to meet when they take on such roles. While doctors in a leadership role have a duty to their workplace and the wider community, their first consideration must always be the interests and safety of patients.

  • Medical assessments for third parties

    Statement

    Last updated 19 August 2021

    Doctors are sometimes asked by a third party (such as an insurance company or ACC) to conduct medical assessments of patients. This statement explains the role of the assessing doctor and the standard of care expected of them within an assessing relationship.

  • Medical certification

    Statement

    Last updated 18 August 2023

    Doctors are often asked to sign certificates for a wide range of purposes, such as confirming sickness, impairment or death. This statement outlines factors to consider, and the standards that doctors must follow, when issuing a medical certificate.

  • Medical emergencies - a doctor's duty to help

    Statement

    Last updated 9 June 2021

    This statement outlines how doctors should respond in an emergency and highlights a number of obligations that apply in that situation.

  • Patient records

    Statement

    Last updated 24 December 2020

    Maintaining clinical records is part of good medical practice. Clinical notes are an important tool for managing the patient's care, and communicating with other doctors and health professionals. This statement guides doctors on what information they should record, and for how long they should retain patients' records.

  • Prescribing

    Statement

    Last updated 27 February 2024

    Prescribing medicines and treatment is an essential part of medical practice. This statement outlines what good prescribing practice involves and the legal requirements doctors must comply with.

  • Professional boundaries

    Statement

    Last updated 1 November 2018

    Doctors are responsible for maintaining appropriate professional boundaries in the doctor-patient relationship. These boundaries are important for ensuring that the power imbalance in the doctor-patient relationship does not compromise patient-safety, the professional relationship or the care provided. This statement outlines doctors’ responsibilities in some specific areas, such as accepting gifts from patients.

  • Resource constraints

    Statement

    Last updated 1 September 2018

    Resource constraints are a reality in health care. For doctors, this often means prioritising based on clinical need and waiting lists. This statement guides doctors working in a resource-constrained environment by setting out ethical principles and practical advice.

  • Sexual boundaries

    Statement

    Last updated 1 November 2018

    This statement outlines the doctor's responsibility to maintain sexual boundaries with patients, includes advice on what to do if boundaries are threatened, and offers guidance on sexual relationships with former patients and with family members of patients.

  • Sport and performance enhancing medicines

    Statement

    Last updated 20 June 2022

    Certain medicines have the potential to enhance athletic performance or an individual's physique. We set out in this statement our position on doctors who prescribe, administer and supply performance-enhancing medicines, or who assist others in doing so.

  • Treating yourself and those close to you

    Statement

    Last updated 14 October 2024

    Doctors are often asked for input by their family and friends. This may include requests for medical advice or a prescription, or more substantial involvement such as performing a procedure. This statement explains why doctors must avoid treating themselves and those they have a close personal relationship with.

  • Telehealth

    Statement

    Last updated 8 August 2023

    Telehealth is the use of digital technology to deliver health services where participants may be separated by distance and/or time. This statement outlines our expectation of doctors who practise telehealth in New Zealand and overseas, and includes guidance on registration, conducting physical examinations and prescribing.

  • Unprofessional behaviour

    Statement

    Last updated 1 August 2020

    As a doctor, you have an obligation to be respectful and professional as your behaviour may affect how a health team functions, how care is delivered to patients, and the public’s trust and confidence in the medical profession. If you have concerns about the conduct, competence or safety of a doctor’s practice, you should notify the Medical Council.