The directive, delivered by National Public Health Service director Dr Nick Chamberlain, has sparked fears that doctors will no longer be able to speak freely about critical health issues in their regions.
Medical officers of health, who are trained doctors specialising in public health, have traditionally provided independent advice on matters such as alcohol policy and fast-food regulations.
However, Health Minister Simeon Brown has clarified that he wants them to focus on “technical advice” and immunisation, not advocacy. “Writing submissions opposing a fast-food restaurant in Wānaka, as Health NZ did last year, is not what New Zealanders expect from their health service,” he said.
The Association of Salaried Medical Specialists (ASMS) warns that restricting doctors’ ability to speak publicly could breach their employment contracts, which protect their right to offer expert opinions. Labour health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall called the move “a step backwards,” arguing that “New Zealand will be better off when there is open debate about health risks.”
Doctors say the changes, combined with cost-cutting and government scrutiny, are creating a “chilling effect” in the public health sector, with many reluctant to speak on the record out of fear for their jobs.
Read more over at Stuff
The Centrist is a new online news platform that strives to provide a balance to the public debate - where this article was sourced.
However, Health Minister Simeon Brown has clarified that he wants them to focus on “technical advice” and immunisation, not advocacy. “Writing submissions opposing a fast-food restaurant in Wānaka, as Health NZ did last year, is not what New Zealanders expect from their health service,” he said.
The Association of Salaried Medical Specialists (ASMS) warns that restricting doctors’ ability to speak publicly could breach their employment contracts, which protect their right to offer expert opinions. Labour health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall called the move “a step backwards,” arguing that “New Zealand will be better off when there is open debate about health risks.”
Doctors say the changes, combined with cost-cutting and government scrutiny, are creating a “chilling effect” in the public health sector, with many reluctant to speak on the record out of fear for their jobs.
Read more over at Stuff
The Centrist is a new online news platform that strives to provide a balance to the public debate - where this article was sourced.
2 comments:
As I recall, during the term of the Labour government, all public comments by the public service had to be approved by the PM's department, and were then subjected to the army of spin doctors. So public health doctors were free to speak publicly but only as long as they agreed with Jacinda. Just look at the propaganda about the covid lockdowns.
Just reading through the ASMS constitution, I hereby support the right of the members to not offer their expert opinions. Thank you.
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