Nursing Council of New Zealand
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Annual Report 2013
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40
Table 11
Sources of competence referrals received 2012-2013
Source
(s = section of HPCA Act)
Number
Health practitioner (s34(1))
2
Health and Disability Commissioner (s34(2))
12
Employer (s34(3))
47
Other (PCC 2, audit 1, other 1)
14
Total
75
Table 12
Outcomes of competence referral inquiries 2012-2013
Number
New competence notifcations
75
Referred to Professional Standards for inquiry
75
No further action
16
Referred to review
59
Table 13
Number of nurses referred for competence reviews 2007-2013
Year
Number of notifcations
2012-2013
75
2011-2012
68
2010-2011
70
2009-2010
93
2008-2009
105
2007-2008
36
Competence reviews
The Council appoints competence review
committees, each comprising two nurses
and a layperson, to examine and assess
nurses’ current competence to practise.
Following a competence review, where
the Council has reason to believe the
nurse fails to meet the required standards
of competence, it must make one or more
orders as laid out in the Act. These may
include an individualised competence
programme, a competence assessment,
professional oversight or supervision in
practice, and conditions placed on the
nurse’s scope of practice. The Council
may also suspend the nurse or include
conditions in his/her practice if there is a
risk of harm to the public while the nurse
is completing a competence programme
and competence assessment. The review
may determine that no further action is
required.
In 2012-2013, 47 competence reviews
were completed. Of those 47 reviews
seven nurses have yet to have orders
made and eight nurses stopped practising
prior to orders being completed. At the
end of March 2013, 46 nurses were still
under a range of orders and having their
performance monitored.
During the year an extensive review of
the competence review process was
undertaken. This was the frst major review
of the process since it was implemented
in 2004. Changes to the process are in
progress. The Council appreciates the
engagement of all those who took part in
the review, including nurses who had been
reviewed, representatives of those nurses,
employers, members of competence
review panels and Council staff.
Since 2005, 294 competence reviews
have been completed. Table 14
summarises the outcomes in that period.