As an Employer, the requesting and evaluation of a medical certificate is challenging territory. Where the rights, interests and objectives differ between doctors, patients and the receiving Employer, it can create conflict and disagreement.
The Medical Council of NZ is reviewing its 2013 statement on Medical certification, which outlines the responsibilities of doctors when they complete a certificate. It is my experience that the current certification does not reflect employer interests when wishing to proactively manage their employees or the impact of ACC’s Experience Rating. Furthermore, the current accountability and/or enforceability of a practitioner to abide by the guidelines set by the Medical Council (or ACC for that matter) when presenting a medical certificate is nil.
The proposed new draft is intended to outline the responsibilities of doctors when they complete a certificate. The Council statement is often referred to by employers and other authorities, so the Council’s aim is to devise guidance that is clear and informative for these users, as well as for doctors.
While the draft statement contains similar guidance to the current statement, the Council has added important new sections on ‘Disclosing a diagnosis,’ ‘Backdating a medical certificate,’ and ‘Fitness to drive,’ and attempted to make it easier to navigate.
Consultation process
Your input and feedback are important. I invite you to review the draft statement and give your views on the proposed changes. Input onto the new draft statement is welcomed.
You can email your submission to consultation@mcnz.org.nz.
The consultation closes on 1 June 2023.
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