You can find submissions that were archived from 2014 onwards on this webpage 

What are submissions?

Submissions are our response to consultations initiated by health bodies such as the Ministry of Health, PHARMAC and the ACC.

Health bodies are always looking to reform their services, funding, guidelines or criteria and these decisions can send shockwaves through the industry and the health of New Zealanders. Our submissions identify potential potholes, and highlight new ideas before changes are made.

Our members’ views and insights bolster our submissions with robust, evidence-based feedback and real-life stories from the face of general practice.

Older archives

Submissions prior to 2014 are archived and searchable via the website search engine.

Medicines and prescribing

Recommendations following the 61st meeting of the Medicines Classification Committee (MCC)
Submission to the Ministry of Health
21 September 2018

Recommendations following the 59th meeting of the Medicines Classification Committee (MCC)
Submission to the Ministry of Health
14 August 2018

Proposal to fund glecaprevir and pibrentasvir (Maviret)
Submission to PHARMAC
9 August 2018

Recommendations from the Perinatal and Maternal Mortality Review Committee (PMMRC) Eleventh Report
Submission to Health Quality and Safety Commission 
26 April 2018

Proposal to remove funding restrictions for candesartan
Submission to the Ministry of Health 
23 April 2018

RNZCGP Comments on the agenda of the 60th meeting of the Medicines Classification Committee (MCC) 
Submission to the Ministry of Health 
23 March 2018

Updating the guidance document How to change the legal classification of a medicine in New Zealand. 
Submission to the Ministry of Health 
8 March 2018

Objection to Medicines Classification Committee regarding Influenza
Submission to the Ministry of Health 
2 February 2018

Observers at Ministerial Advisory Committees
Submission to the Ministry of Health 
15 January 2018

Proposal to fund HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP)
Submission to PHARMAC
30 November 2017

Proposal to change warning statements on labels of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) 
Submission to PHARMAC
15 September 2017

Change of access to funded Nicotine Replacement Therapy and the Emergency Contraceptive Pill
Submission to PHARMAC
14 August 2017

Proposal to reclassify Fentanyl
Submission to the Ministry of Health
27 July 2017

Iron infusions in the community
Submission to PHARMAC
20 June 2017

Comments on the agenda of the 58th meeting of the MCC
Submission to the Medicines Classification Committee
10 April 2017

Influenza vaccine in pharmacies
Submission to PHARMAC
24 February 2017

Access to Jadelle via the Practitioners Supply Order
Submission to PHARMAC
16 December 2016

Application for a change to the Pharmaceutical Schedule  (Mirena) 
Submission to PHARMAC
7 November 2016

Comments on the agenda of the 57th meeting of the MCC
Submission to the Medicines Classification Committee
23 September 2016

Draft Pacific Responsiveness Strategy
Submission to PHARMAC
29 July 2016

Proposal for sole subsidised supply of progestogen-only long-acting intra-uterine system (Mirena)
Submission to PHARMAC
11 July 2016

Proposal to amend listings in the National Immunisation Schedule
Submission to PHARMAC
20 June 2016

Feedback on proposed Hepatitis C treatment
Submission to PHARMAC
25 May 2016

Minutes of the 54th Meeting of the MCC (Revised OCP proposal)
Submission to Medicines Classification Committee
9 February 2016

Health policy and legislation

Health and Disability System Review 
Submission to Ministry of Health
30 May 2019

Updated NZMA Code of Ethics
Submission to New Zealand Medical Association
11 April 2019

Draft Therapeutic Products Bill
Submission to Ministry of Health
17 April 2019

Draft National Ethics Standards for Health and Disability Research
Submission to Ministry of Health
17 September 2018

Labelling of sugars on packaged foods and drinks
Submission to Food Regulation Secretariat
17 September 2018

Statement on safe practice in an environment of resource limitation
College Submission to the Medical Council of New Zealand
02 August 2018

Consultation on the Zero Carbon Bill
College Submission to the Ministry for the Environment
 19 July 2018

Submission on Mental Health and Addiction Inquiry 
College Submission to the Health Committee of Parliament
6 June 2018

Local Government (Community Well-being) Amendment Bill
College Submission to the Health Committee of Parliament
24 May 2018

Health (National Cervical Screening Programme) Amendment Bill
College Submission to the Health Committee of Parliament
3 May 2018

Submission on the Child Poverty Reduction Bill 
College Submission to the Health Committee of Parliament
9 April 2018

Submission on the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Amendment Bill 2018
College Submission to the Health Committee of Parliament
5 April 2018

Misuse of Drugs (Medicinal Cannabis) Bill
College Submission to the Health Committee of Parliament
22 March 2018

End of Life Choice Bill 
College Submission to the Justice Committee of Parliament and compilation of members' submissions
6 March 2018

Newborn enrolment with General Practice Bill
Submission to the Parliamentary Health Committee
21 February 2018

National Health Index number format change
Submission to the Ministry of Health
14 November 2017

Pharmacy Council Code of Ethics
Submission to the Pharmacy Council
9 August 2017

A Strategy to Prevent Suicide in New Zealand
Submission to the Ministry of Health
13 June 2017

Heath (Fluoridation of Drinking Water) Amendment Bill 
Submission to the Health Select Committee
2 February 2017

Children and Young People's Advertising Code
Submission to the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) 
5 December 2016

Health on the Road - Guidance
Submission to the Office of the Privacy Commissioner
8 November 2016

Draft Health (Infectious and Notifiable Diseases) Regulations 2016
Submission to the Ministry of Health
19 October 2016

Draft National Standards for Vaccine Storage and Transportation for Immunisation Providers
Submission to the Ministry of Health 
10 October 2016

Family Violence Risk Assessment and Management
Submission to the Ministry of Justice
16 September 2016

Draft Health of Older People Strategy
Submission to the Ministry of Health
7 September 2016

Standardised Tobacco Products and Packing Draft Regulations
Submission to the Ministry of Health 
 6 July 2016

Proposed Radiation Safety Regulations
Submission to the Ministry of Health
20 June 2016

NODS review
Submission to Asbestos Exposure NODS
17 June 2016

Driver licensing review discussion paper
Submission to the NZ Transport Agency
1 June 2016

Substance Addiction (Compulsory Assessment and Treatment) Bill alias
Submission to the Parliamentary Health Committee 
21 April 2016

Children's Code for Advertising Food
Submission to the Advertising Standards Authority
12 April 2016

Amendment to Medicines (Standing Order) Regulations 2002
Submission to the Ministry of Health
16 February 2016

Regulation of Natural Health Products
Submission to the Ministry of Health
2 February 2016

Draft options for regulation of prescribing and dispensing of medicines
Submission to the Ministry of Health
20 January 2016

Update of the New Zealand Health Strategy
Submission to the Ministry of Health
03 Dec 2015 (HMB329-15)

Health Practitioners (Replacement of Statutory References to Medical Practitioners) Bill
Submission to the Ministry of Health
03 Oct 2015 (JMK304-15)

Coroners Amendment Bill
Submission to Select Committee
27 Feb 2015 (JMK72-15)

Widening who can sign Work Capacity Medical Certificates
Submission to Ministry of Social Development 
18 Feb 2015 (JMK62-15)

Health (Protection) Amendment Bill
Submission to Select Committee
10 Feb 2015 (JMK50-15)

Smoke-free Environments (Tobacco plain Packaging) Amendment Bill 2013
Submission to the Select Committee
04 Mar 2014 (JMK10-14)

Transport and Industrial Relations Select Committee: Land Transport Amendment Bill
Submission to the Transport and Industrial Relations Committee
11 Feb 2015 (JMK01-14)

Clinical

Draft family violence information sharing guidance
Submission to the Ministry of Justice
17 September 2018

Draft guidelines for Tuberculosis control in New Zealand 2018
Submission to the Ministry of Health
24 August 2018

Discussion document on the best time to start the Annual Influenza Immunisation Programme
Submission to the Ministry of Health
9 August 2018

SNOWMED CT Subset Development for National Patient Flow: general paediatrics and child development services
Submission to the Standards Working Group 
18 July 2018

Antimicrobial Stewardship: systems and processes for effective antimicrobial medicine use 
Submission to bpacNZ
23 February 2017

Updated Guidelines for Cervical Screening in New Zealand 
Submission to Ministry of Health 
17 October 2016

Diagnosis and treatment of hypertension and pre-eclampsia in pregnancy in NZ; A clinical practice guideline
Submission to Inquisit
14 October 2016

Draft NZ Clinical Standard for Fracture Liaison Services
Submission to Osteoporosis NZ
2 May 2016

Definitions of high suspicion cancer
Submission to Ministry of Health 
16 Apr 2015 (JMK140-15)

Living Well with Diabetes: A draft plan for health services for people with diabetes 2015-2020
Submission to Ministry of Health 
10 Jul 2015 (JMK266-15)

Self-limiting respiratory tract infections - antibiotic prescribing
Submission to bpacNZ
06 Aug 2015 (JMK285-15)

Recertification vision and principles
Submission to the Medical Council of New Zealand 
05 Oct 2015 (REF309-15)

Draft prostate cancer guidance and covering letter
Submission to Ministry of Health 
26 Feb 2015 (JMK65-15)

National Community Radiology Access Criteria
Submission to the Select Committee
31 Jul 2014 (JMK78-14)

Initiative to develop a position on imaging referral guidelines and support tools
Submission to the Royal Australia and New Zealand College of Radiologists
26 Jun 2014 (JMK62-14)

Managing Chronic Kidney Diseases in Primary Care: A National Consensus Statement 
Submission to Ministry of Health 
1 Sep 2014 (JMK97-14)

Principles and Guidance for the Last Days of Life
Submission to Cancer Control in NZ
05 May 2014 (JMK165-14)

Feedback on statements on refugee and asylum seeker health
Submission to the Royal Australasian College of Physicians
28 Jan 2014 (JMK27-14)

Safety and quality

Draft AIMA Guiding Principles for Letter Writing
Submission to Health Quality and Safety Commission
24 Aug 2015 (TW19-599)

Transparency of information related to medical/service interventions
Submission to Health Quality and Safety Commission
24 Aug 2015 (JMK288-15)

Child safety screening
Submission to the Ministry of Health
08 May 2015 (JMK164-15)

Proposals for quality assurance, reporting and monitoring requirements for accident and medical care
Submission to ACC
30 Apr 2015 (JMK155-15)

Regulations for Worker Safety Checks (Child safety screening proposal)
Submission to the Ministry of Health
29 Oct 2014 (HMB137-14)

Feedback on the National Screening Unit Quality Framework 2014
Submission to the Ministry of Health 
23 Jan 2015 (JMK11-15)

Medical Council 

Consultation on information, choice of treatment and informed consent
Submission to the MCNZ
7 June 2019

Consultation on standards for assessment and accreditation of New Zealand colleges
Submission to the MCNZ
28 February 2019

Consultation on strengthening recertification for vocationally registered doctors
Submission to the MCNZ
11 November 2018

Consultation on sexual and professional boundaries
Submission to the MCNZ
11 October 2018

Consultation on Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) 
Submission to PHARMAC
19 September 2017

Strengthening recertification for vocationally registered doctors
Submission to the MCNZ
20 March 2017

Caring for yourself and those close to you
Submission to the MCNZ
15 August 2016

Comments on proposed Amendment to MCNZ's Statement on advertising in relation to testimonials
Submission to the MCNZ 
26 April 2016

Statement on telehealth
Submission to the MCNZ
29 February 2016

Consultation on the scope of practice and qualifications: Nurse practitioner
Submission to Nursing Council of New Zealand
06 Mar 2014 

Review of Medical Council's resources on cultural competence
Submission to the MCNZ
16 Jun 2014 (JMK55-14)

Review of the Medical Council's Statement on advertising 
Submission to the MCNZ
27 Mar 2014 (JMK20-14)

Withdrawal of the Special Purpose (Teleradiology) Scope of Practice
Submission to the MCNZ
12 Nov 2014 (JMK141-14)

Review of Council's list of approved qualifications for locum tenens registration
Submission to the MCNZ
19 Aug 2014 (JMK85-14)

Prerequisites for registration in General Scope of Practice for Doctors who have obtained registration through NZREX
Submission to the MCNZ
18 Aug 2014 (JMK86-14)

Health workforce 

Voluntary Bonding Scheme Review 2017 and the terms and conditions for the 2018 Voluntary Bonding Scheme   
Submission to Health Workforce New Zealand 
3 August 2017

Regulating the paramedic workforce under the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003
Submission to Health Workforce New Zealand 
13 June 2017

Health Workforce New Zealand consultation on funding for postgraduate medical training 
Submission to Health Workforce New Zealand
16 May 2017

PRIME Services Review 2016: Steering Group Draft Report to the National Ambulance Sector Office (Draft version 02) 
Submission to the Ministry of Health 
21 April 2017

PRIME Services Review 2016: Steering Group Draft Report to the National Ambulance Sector Office 
Submission to the Ministry of Health 
2 March 2017

Integrated Health Care Framework: Pharmacists and doctors working together 
Submission to the Pharmacy Society of New Zealand 
27 February 2017

VBS terms and conditions for 2017
Submission to Health Workforce New Zealand 
20 June 2016

New funding of vocational training
Submission to Health Workforce New Zealand
14 April 2016

Draft Mental Health and Addiction Workforce Action Plan 2016-2020
Submission to the Ministry of Health 
19 January 2016

Closing the Loop submission
Submission to Procare
19 April 2016

Voluntary Bonding Scheme 2016 Terms and Conditioners Stakeholder Consultation
Submission to Health Workforce New Zealand 
12 Jun 2015 (MT222-15)

Funding

Primary care funding
Submission to the Minister of Health
6 July 2016

ACC payments
Submission to the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment
3 May 2016

Feedback on draft statement on third party funding arrangements 
Submission to the New Zealand Medical Association 
18 Feb 2015 (JMK64-15)

Research

New Zealand Health Research Strategy
Submission to the Ministry of Health
29 July 2016

Cross-sectoral ethics arrangements for health and disability research
Submission to the National Ethics Advisory Committee
5 Feb 2015 (JMK28-15)

Draft Pacific Responsiveness Strategy
Submission to PHARMAC
29 July 2016

Draft Pacific Responsiveness Strategy
Submission to PHARMAC
29 July 2016

Draft Pacific Responsiveness Strategy
Submission to PHARMAC
29 July 2016