Proposal - Annual Practising Certificate Fee

Annual Practising Certificate Fee PROPOSAL March 2021

Table of contents Introduction ............................................................................................................................................. 3 Background .............................................................................................................................................. 3 Review of Costs ........................................................................................................................................ 4 Proposal to increase APC Fee ................................................................................................................. 5 Summary .................................................................................................................................................. 6 How to make a submission..................................................................................................................... 6

Annual Practising Certificate Fee Te Kaunihera Tapuhi o Aotearoa | Nursing Council of New Zealand

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Introduction The Nursing Council of New Zealand is the regulatory authority responsible for the registration of nurses. Our primary function is to protect the health and safety of the public by providing mechanisms to ensure that nurses are competent and fit to practise.

The Annual Practising Certificate (APC) and disciplinary levy fee funds the Council to enable it to carry out its functions. The Council’s primary source of income is from the APC fee.

The purpose of this consultation paper is to seek feedback from stakeholders about a small increase to the APC fee.

Background APC fees are set by the Council. The Council is committed to ensuring that it operates in a costeffective manner and strives to maintain a balance between ensuring the efficient and effective discharge of its public safety obligations and practitioner affordability.

Benefit to nurses from registration are as follows: 

Administrative support through the regulatory framework which supports nursing practise in Aotearoa New Zealand. This means we can swiftly move to address challenges in the workforce (e.g. granting emergency practising certificates as part of the pandemic response)



The Council operates a rigorous APC process that gives the public and the wider health sector confidence that nurses in Aotearoa New Zealand meet high professional standards and meet the requirements to practise and deliver care in our communities.

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The Council sets standards for approval of pre-registration nursing education programmes and accreditation of tertiary education organisations. This includes the processes for approval, accreditation, and monitoring. This means that Aotearoa New Zealand graduates are competent on completion of their qualification to practise.

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Upgraded IT systems making it easier and more efficient for nurses, employers, and members of the public to access all regulatory information relating to their registration practice.

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The Council is resourced to pay for the cost of running a hearing if a nurse is referred to the Health Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal as a result of charges laid against them by a Professional Conduct Committee or the Director of Proceedings

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The Council is able to work collaboratively with the Ministry of Health and other government agencies to address both short and long-term issues confronting the profession Annual Practising Certificate Fee Te Kaunihera Tapuhi o Aotearoa | Nursing Council of New Zealand

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

The Council is implementing Te Tiriti o Waitangi policies throughout the organisation and this will be reflected in the Council nursing policies and processes over time.

Review of Costs The Nursing Council last increased the APC fee from $98 to $110 on 1 July 2011 after a review by Grant Thornton Accountants. In 2016 another fee review was undertaken with no further increase to the APC. In November 2020, the Service Cost Model was reviewed again by Grant Thornton Accountants.

The report noted significant changes to the organisation since the 2016 costing model which include:



Re-organisation of business model and the provision of more services to support regulatory functions.

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Level 7 of 22 Willeston Street has been leased to accommodate Council business and day to day operations.

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The development and roll out of a new online database and significant IT enhancements - MyNC.

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Operational changes to the review process of internationally qualified nurses

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Increased number of strategic projects to achieve the Council’s objectives as set out in the Strategic Plan, including the implementation of Te Tiriti o Waitangi framework and policies throughout the organisation.

The report noted that with no APC increase in the last ten years, the organisation has been in a financial deficit for the last three years and has a forecast deficit for 2021.

Some of the financial challenges that have been forecast include: 

From June 2020, the Council is required to fund the administrative costs of the Health Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal.



Expected rental increase of at least 10% from February 2022.

Annual Practising Certificate Fee Te Kaunihera Tapuhi o Aotearoa | Nursing Council of New Zealand

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Proposal to increase APC Fee The Council is taking a cautious approach to any APC fee increase and considers the impact this will have on practitioners. Given the current forecasted deficits for the 2021 year onward it is proposed that the Council increase the APC by $20 to $130.

This proposed increase will ensure that our Service Cost Model is effective for our long-term financial resilience.

APC Fee structure: Fee

Current fee

Proposed fee

Increase

APC

$85

$105

$20

Disciplinary Levy

$25

$25

$0

Total

$110

$130

$20

Annual Practising Certificate Fee Te Kaunihera Tapuhi o Aotearoa | Nursing Council of New Zealand

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Summary The Council invites feedback and submissions on these proposals by email or post by 27 April 2021.

After the consultation period has closed, the Council will consider submissions received before making a decision. The final decision will be made at a Council meeting on 18 May 2021 prior to placing a notice of the fee and levy in the New Zealand gazette for an effective date of 1 October 2021.

Copies of this consultation document have been sent to the Directors of Nursing, Office of the Chief Nurse, the Ministry of Health, District Health Boards and other key stakeholders.

How to make a submission Email info@nursingcouncil.co.nz Post Nursing Council of New Zealand PO Box 9644. Wellington 6141. New Zealand

Summary Te Kaunihera Tapuhi o Aotearoa | Nursing Council of New Zealand

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