Which two groups are established by the HPCA act to investigate healthcare professionals?

The Health Practitioners Competence Assurance (HPCA) Act establishes a framework for ensuring healthcare professionals in New Zealand are competent to practice safely. Among the provisions of the HPCA Act, two specific groups are designated to investigate and address concerns regarding healthcare practitioners: the Professional Conduct Committee and the Competence Review Panel.

The Professional Conduct Committee is responsible for investigating complaints related to professional misconduct or conduct that may bring the profession into disrepute. This committee plays a crucial role in maintaining professional standards and protecting the public by ensuring that any breaches of conduct are thoroughly examined and addressed.

On the other hand, the Competence Review Panel focuses on assessing the competence of healthcare practitioners. This panel is tasked with determining whether a practitioner continually meets the required standards of competence for their role. If there are indications that a professional may not be performing at an acceptable level, this panel can conduct assessments to ensure that the practitioner receives the necessary support or remediation.

Together, these two groups work within the framework of the HPCA Act to safeguard public health and maintain the integrity of healthcare professions in New Zealand. Their establishment reflects the commitment to both upholding high standards of practice and ensuring that healthcare providers are held accountable for their actions.