NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE

No. 193

either to the Secretary or an agent of the Council and in the case of overseas graduates must identify themselves by producing a current passport and submit in support of this application a Certificate of Good Standing of recent date issued by the Medical Registration Authority in whose domain they last practised and a notarised copy of their degree. The Certificate of Good standing must clearly indicate that no disciplinary procedures are outstanding against the applicant. Applicants must also satisfy the Council that they intend to reside and practise in New Zealand and that a position is available.

Applicants are required to nominate one person of standing who has recent and personal knowledge of the applicant from whom the Council might obtain a reference as to character and standing.

All members of the Council have been appointed agents of the Council.

9. Character of Applicants

The Council may refuse to register any applicant who is not in the opinion of the Council a fit person to be registered or who has at any time been convicted of an offence which if committed in New Zealand would be punishable by imprisonment for a term of two years or upwards.

10. Eligibility for Registration

The Council may register any person who is:

(a) A graduate in medicine and surgery of the University of New Zealand or the University of Otago or Auckland.

(b) Registered in accordance with the Acts relating to the registration of medical practitioners in the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland provided that such person has been registered by virtue of degrees granted by a University in the United Kingdom or Republic of Ireland.

(c) The holder of a medical degree from a recognised University in Australia, Canada or South Africa.

11. Appeal to High Court

An applicant who has been refused registration or who is dissatisfied with the direction of the Council may appeal to the High Court

12. Commencement of Practice

No person may practise medicine or surgery under any style or title implying that he or she is registered under the Act unless he or she has been so registered.

No person may hold any appointment as a Medical Officer of Health, or medical officer in the armed forces, hospital, mental hospitals, prisons, or other public Institutions or friendly societies unless he or she is registered under the Act.

No person may commence practice unless and until he or she has been advised by the Secretary to the effect that he or she is so entitled.

13. Change of Address

Every person registered under the Act is required to notify the Secretary by registered post within one month of any change in the address shown against that person's name in the register. No fee is payable for this alteration to the register.

14. Additional Qualifications

Every person registered under the Act may apply to have the register amended to include any additional qualification approved by the Council against that person's name in the register. Satisfactory evidence must be produced to the Secretary. No fee is payable for this alteration to the register.

15. Change of Name

The register, on the application of the person concerned and with the approval of the Council, may be amended to show any change in the name of the person registered. Such applications must be supported by a deed poll, marriage certificate, birth certificate, or other acceptable evidence. A fee $20* is payable.

16. Annual Practising Certificate

Every person registered under the Act who practises in New Zealand must apply to the Secretary for a certificate in respect of each year commencing on 1 April, and unless he or she has made such application is not entitled to practise in New Zealand. The fee is $58.36 per annum.

In addition a disciplinary levy of $59.82 per annum is payable by every applicant for an Annual Practising Certificate.

17. Discipline

The Council is empowered to hear complaints against registered medical practitioners amounting to disgraceful conduct in professional respect and may suspend the practitioner concerned or remove the practitioner's name from the register or may impose a lesser penalty.

The Council is also empowered to hear appeals against any order of the Disciplinary Committee in respect of a charge of professional misconduct or conduct unbecoming a practitioner or in respect of a complaint made to the Committee by the Minister in connection with matters arising out of Part II of the Social Security Act.

18. Complaints Against Practitioners

Persons wishing to lay complaints against registered medical practitioners should in the case of complaints amounting to professional misconduct or conduct unbecoming a practitioner address themselves to the Secretary of the Medical Practitioners Disciplinary Committee, P.O. Box 156, Wellington.

Complaints amounting to disgraceful conduct in a professional respect should be made to the Secretary of the Council and the provisions of the Medical Practitioners Act 1968 apply in the investigation of such complaints and their presentation before the Council.

19. Fees*

The following fees have been fixed by regulations under the Act—

Registration:
On deposit of evidence of qualifications................ $144.00
For provisional certificate.............................. 20.00
For annual practising certificate....................... 58.36
For disciplinary levy................................... 59.82

Total fees on registration............................... $282.18

Other:
For alteration to the register other than additional qualification or change of address................... 20.00
Restoration of name to the register and removal therefrom..................................................... 110.00
For certificate of registration.......................... 20.00
For any inspection of the register........................ 8.00
For annual practising certificate including disciplinary levy................................................ 118.18
For certificate of temporary registration................ 144.00
For Certificate of Good Standing.......................... 20.00

*Excluding Goods and Service Tax.

20. Medical Practitioners Act

Copies of the Medical Practitioners Act are available from the Government Printer, Wellington.

21. New Zealand Medical Register

Copies of the New Zealand Medical Register are available from the Secretary.