The Nelson Mail
December 17, 2001
A welcome step
Editorial
The Government's
intention to bring together around 10 medical tribunals into one body which
will hold open hearings is a welcome step.
The present arrangements are a mishmash. The Medical
Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal is open, allowing the public to know about
doctors who have been found guilty of misconduct.
Others, such as the Psychologists Board, are able to hold hearings in private
and keep the identities of practitioners in trouble to themselves.
This is exactly what happened in the case of a
The Health Practitioners Competency Bill, to be introduced next year, will
create a single disciplinary tribunal for most health workers.
Nurses and psychologists will come under it, as will doctors, and its hearings will
be held in the open. This is no more than the public should expect as of right.
However, there has long been a feeling that some medical groups seek to operate
as secret societies, keeping their mistakes and wrongdoings among themselves
and maintaining a wall of silence when awkward questions are asked. Such an
attitude makes it impossible for members of the public to make an informed
choice about their health care.
This does not mean that names should always be published when charges of
misconduct are laid.
Except when allegations are extremely serious, there will often be good grounds
for interim suppression to be given - and to be made permanent if the charges
do not lead to a finding of misconduct.
Errors of judgment are bound to be made and shouldn't necessarily blight a
health professional's career. But when misconduct is found, the public has a
right to know.
As a group, doctors recognise this and it is time for the others to fall into
line. The era of closed professional ranks has had its day. As Health Minister
Annette King points out, it is time for greater transparency.