Title: Current Developments in New Zealand Health Law
Abstract: The legal framework governing health care in New Zealand is similar in many respects that in Canada and other common law jurisdictions. There are however, some important differences, which are of interest from both an academic and a practical perspective. In addition, New Zealand health law is in the midst of an especially dynamic period, with legislative reforms recently undertaken or on the horizon in a number of areas. This paper will briefly describe a few of the more significant current developments, aiming highlight features that are unique New Zealand or otherwise of particular interest. 1. Context: The New Zealand health care system and legal system The health care system in New Zealand is composed of a comprehensive public system much like Canada's, but unlike in Canada a parallel system of private insurance and private clinics and hospitals exists alongside the public system. The public system is administered by 21 District Health Boards (DHBs), reporting and receiving funding from the Ministry of Health. The DHBs are generally responsible for planning and providing services for the population of a specific area, though the Ministry retains a degree of direct involvement in some areas including mental health and public health. (1) There are a few significant differences between the New Zealand and Canadian legal systems that are relevant health care. First, unlike Canada and neighbouring Australia, New Zealand is a unitary jurisdiction with no provinces or territories, so there is no division of powers and national legislation regulates health care throughout the country. A further difference is the lack of a written constitution or a constitutional charter of rights. The New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990 (2) includes many of the same rights as the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, but has only the status of ordinary legislation and gives way an inconsistent provision in another statute. (3) As well as the rights life and liberty, the Bill of Rights includes explicit rights be subjected or scientific experimentation without ... consent and to refuse undergo any treatment. (4) Apart from these differences in general public law, the most striking--and probably the best known--feature of the New Zealand legal system that is relevant health law is the existence of a no-fault compensation system for personal injuries due accident. A brief discussion of this scheme as it applies medical misadventure will be discussed in the next section. Before turning that topic, one important institution should be mentioned: the Health and Disability Commissioner (HDC). The HDC was created in response the report of the Cartwright Inquiry, (5) a committee of inquiry established in 1987 following public outcry about a research study undertaken at the National Women's Hospital in Auckland. From 1966 the mid-1980s, women at the hospital were subjected repeated cervical smear tests and biopsies without being offered adequate treatment, in order test a theory that carcinoma in situ was not a precursor of invasive cervical cancer, as was (and still is) the prevailing view. The great majority of women were not informed that they were participating in a research study, and it appeared that obvious symptoms of invasive cancer were overlooked or downplayed. Following protests by members of the community and the public, a committee of inquiry was established, led by Justice Silvia Cartwright. (6) Among the recommendations of the inquiry was the need appoint a Health Commissioner receive and investigate complaints and raise health professionals' awareness of patients' rights, and the need develop a statement of patients' rights. In 1994, the office of the HDC was established, (7) and the Code of Health and Disability Services Consumers' Rights (the Code) was enacted as a regulation in 1996. (8) This Code includes the right be treated with respect; freedom from discrimination, coercion, harassment and exploitation; dignity and independence; services of an appropriate standard; effective communication; be fully informed; make an informed choice and give informed consent; support; and complain about a health or disability service provider. …
Publication Year: 2004
Publication Date: 2004-03-22
Language: en
Type: article
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Cited By Count: 1
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