Proposed changes to the regulation of the health workforce in this country are in early stages with a new government survey: “Putting Patients First: Modernising Health Workforce Regulation.”
The survey lays the ground for new regulation of psychotherapists, including indications they would like to dilute the significance of Te Tiriti o Waitangi in relation to health practice. It emphasises medical approaches and shorter term manualised therapies within public mental health.
John O’Connor, APANZ president responded to the survey on behalf of the association. The response focused on government overreach in suggesting changes to health regulatory bodies and specifically psychotherapy regulation, as well as firm opposition to amalgamation of current regulatory bodies such as PBANZ with any other boards.
He drew attention to ideological bias inherent in the submission questionnaire. For example, its arbitrary and illogical separation of clinical considerations from cultural considerations. Other aspects of the government’s bias are reflected in their overall approach to health regulation, which seeks quick and simplistic solutions, when what is needed is long-term planning in health workforce development, training, and expertise in relation to the specific context of this country.
John’s submission in response to the health workforce survey is accessible via the following link.
https://nexushub.nz/wp-content/uploads/Health-survey-Putting-Patients-First.pdf