11237 (2024). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health

11237 (2024). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health: What regulatory framework, if any, enables overseas based doctors to do telehealth consulting in NZ?

Hon Dr Shane Reti: I am advised that the Medical Council of New Zealand – Statement on Telehealth (Updated August 2023) sets standards for doctors registered in New Zealand who provide telehealth services to patients in New Zealand and/or overseas. The Medical Council's expectation is that doctors who are overseas will comply with the Statement if they provide telehealth services to patients in New Zealand. I am further advised that the Statement sets out that doctors who provide telehealth services to New Zealand-based patients should be registered with the Medical Council and hold a current practicing certificate. An exception to this is if they are providing an opinion regarding a patient under the care of a New Zealand-registered doctor.