Latest news with #MedicalCouncil
Scoop
13 hours ago
- Health
- Scoop
Guidelines Released For Prescribing Psilocybin
Associate Minister of Health Associate Health Minister David Seymour is welcoming steps to provide medical practitioners with more tools to treat people with depression, with Medsafe publishing guidelines for experts wanting to prescribe Psilocybin. 'This is huge for people with depression who've tried everything else and are still suffering. If a doctor believes psilocybin can help, they should have the opportunity to do what's best for their patient,' says Mr Seymour. 'Recent changes have put New Zealand's settings in line with Australia, where authorised prescribers have been using psilocybin in clinical settings for some time. 'Psilocybin remains an unapproved medicine, but one highly experienced psychiatrist has already been granted authority to prescribe it to patients with treatment-resistant depression. 'This is excellent news for their patients, but there are other Kiwis in need in different parts of New Zealand who might have an appropriate practitioner nearby. 'Practitioners must meet a series of requirements to gain approval, including being registered with the Medical Council with a current practicing certificate, a good understanding and experience of the medicines and the psychotherapeutic processes involved in psychedelic-assisted therapy, and a detailed proposal of how they will administer the treatment that has been peer reviewed and will be considered by Medsafe. 'Soon more practitioners will have the ability to use this medicine, meaning more patients will benefit.'
Scoop
17-07-2025
- Health
- Scoop
ProCare Welcomes Fast-Tracked Registration For Overseas Doctors
ProCare welcomes the Medical Council's decision to recognise overseas-trained doctors from Chile, Croatia, and Luxembourg as part of the 'Comparable Health System pathway'. Alongside the fast-track registration for GPs from the USA, Canada, and Singapore, this will deliver a much-needed boost to general practices across Aotearoa who are facing a significant GP shortage. The decision means ProCare will be better placed to support its primary care network to recruit offshore GPs; further helping to ease workforce pressure and improve access to care for communities. Bindi Norwell, Chief Executive at ProCare, says the organisation is ready to support practices to take full advantage of the change. 'We know our practices are under pressure and this change gives us a practical way to bring in skilled clinicians faster,' says Norwell. Under the changes, GPs from the United States, Canada and Singapore will have their registration applications processed within two months, while specialists from countries such as the UK, Ireland and Australia will benefit from a fast-tracked 20-day assessment process. Japan and South Korea were added to the list in February 2025. 'At ProCare, we are deeply committed to investing in the primary care workforce. We've long advocated for practical solutions that support our network and improve health outcomes for our communities. This announcement aligns with that vision.' Earlier this month, ProCare became an Immigration NZ Accredited Employer, allowing it to directly support practices with international recruitment and immigration processes. 'We're actively investing in solutions for primary care that make a difference,' says Norwell. 'Our investment includes tailored support for general practice teams, leadership development, and tools to improve retention and resilience. We're committed to building a strong, sustainable workforce that delivers better health outcomes for all New Zealanders.' ProCare will continue working closely with its network and partners to ensure overseas-trained doctors are welcomed, supported, and integrated into the communities where they're needed most. About ProCare ProCare is a leading healthcare provider that aims to deliver the most progressive, pro-active and equitable health and wellbeing services in Aotearoa. We do this through our clinical support services, mental health and wellness services, virtual/tele health, mobile health, smoking cessation and by taking a population health and equity approach to our mahi. As New Zealand's largest Primary Health Organisation, we represent a network of general practice teams and healthcare professionals who provide care to more than 830,000 people across Auckland and Northland. These practices serve the largest Pacific and South Asian populations enrolled in general practice and the largest Māori population in Tāmaki Makaurau.
Irish Times
16-07-2025
- Health
- Irish Times
Doctor who ‘repeated mantra-like claims in court of Garda surveillance' is suspended
The president of the High Court has suspended a doctor from practising over concerns about his mental health, his 'unusual behaviour' and complaints about his clinical practice. Mr Justice David Barniville said he was very concerned about the man's mental health after witnessing him in court. This included, the judge said, 'repeated, constant and almost mantra-like references' to being under surveillance by the gardaí since around 2010 and repeated references to the woman Garda detective allegedly involved in the surveillance and who, in view of the doctor, was constantly involved in actions intended to damage him. The judge was satisfied the Medical Council had legitimate and reasonable concerns for the public if the doctor, who qualified in Pakistan and has practised in Ireland for 35 years, was permitted to continue to practice. READ MORE The suspension applies pending the doctor's completion of certain supervisory and medical requirements and pending further court order. He has rejected all the claims made against him and says there has been a conspiracy against him by his former wife, the detective garda and others. A psychiatrist assessed him as suffering from a 'relevant medical disability' that was a 'persistent delusional disorder of persecutory type'. The psychiatrist believed that as the doctor's medical disability had not affected, to date, his fitness to work, he should be allowed to continue to work under conditions including supportive health services. The doctor has refused to accept the psychiatrist's opinion and was not so far prepared to agree to the conditions, the judge said. In those circumstances, Mr Justice Barniville granted an order sought by the Medical Council suspending the doctor. The judge said the case arose after the directors of an out-of-hours general practitioner service, which the doctor worked at for a number of years until October 2024, contacted the Medical Council over his conduct. Difficulties included his interactions with patients, their carers and, at times, members of staff at the GP service. They referred to 'significant difficulties and challenges' in his life including a separation. He had claimed 'undercover gardaí [were] observing him' from within the service. Most complaints against him related to his poor manner in consultations, a peremptory approach to those for whom he was caring and an approach that 'intermittently appears clinically inadequate', particularly in relation to gynaecological issues. It was also alleged his notes were 'scant' and that evidence of reasonable examination was 'very limited'. There were two significant 'near misses' involving him, it was claimed. The doctor denied all those claims and said the psychiatrist's report should be rejected. The directors of the GP service did not want to make a complaint, but wanted it brought to the attention of the chief executive of the Medical Council, which itself decided to initiate the complaint processes. The judge also said the doctor alleged the garda detective was trying to prevent the Central Office of the High Court from issuing the proceedings he wanted to bring alleging the garda did various other things to damage him. The judge said it would not be appropriate for him on a suspension application to resolve conflicts of evidence or to make findings of fact. However, the doctor's refusal to accept there may be a problem and that his registration should be subject to conditions was sufficient to persuade the judge to make the suspension order, pending further court order.
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
RNZ News
15-07-2025
- Health
- RNZ News
Doctors from US, Canada and Singapore to have registrations fast-tracked
health refugees and migrants 28 minutes ago The Medical Council's moving to make it faster and easier for doctors who've been trained overseas to work here. Association of Salaried Medical Specialists executive director Sarah Dalton spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.
