9. Dr JACKIE BLUE (National) Link to this
to the Minister of Health
Who appoints members of the Nursing Council, and is the Government proposing changes?
Hon TONY RYALL (Minister of Health) Link to this
Yes, the Government is changing the appointment rules for the Nursing Council, so that nurses will be able to elect half of the six health practitioner members of the Nursing Council. Unlike the previous administration, which wanted to control and appoint every last position, this Government trusts our health professionals. We believe that nurses can make a significant contribution to the regulation of their profession, and from later this year we are giving them this opportunity.
The first elections to the Nursing Council will take place in September this year, when two health practitioner members will be elected for a term of 2 years. The next elections will be held in 2011, when three health practitioner members will be elected for a term of 3 years, with the elections being run by the Nursing Council.