Health committees provide the Minister of Health with independent expert advice and offer a forum for representatives of the sector to have a role in decision-making.
Health legislation requires the Minister of Health to establish a number of committees (compulsory committees), and allows for the establishment of other committees (discretionary committees).
The Ministry of Health provides secretariat support for the following Ministerial health advisory committees and councils.
Advisory Committee on Assisted Reproductive Technology
The Advisory Committee on Assisted Reproductive Technology (ACART) is an independent advisory committee that formulates advice and guidelines for the regulation of assisted human reproduction. ACART is required to undertake extensive public consultation before issuing advice or finalising guidelines.
Ethics Committee on Assisted Reproductive Technology
The Ethics Committee on Assisted Reproductive Technology (ECART) considers and determines applications for assisted reproductive procedures or human reproductive research, and keeps under review approvals previously given. In addition, ECART liaises with ACART and other relevant ethics committees on matters relating to assisted reproductive procedures and human reproductive research.
National Ethics Advisory Committee
The National Ethics Advisory Committee (NEAC) provides advice to the Minister of Health on ethical issues of national significance regarding health and disability research and services, and to determine nationally consistent ethical standards and provide scrutiny for research and services.
New Zealand Health and Disability Ethics Committees
New Zealand has four Health and Disability Ethics Committees (HDEC) which provided independent ethical review of health and disability research to safeguard the rights, health and well-being of consumers and research participants, in particular those with diminished autonomy. For further information please visit the Health and Disability Ethics Committees (HDECs) website.
Mortality review committees
New Zealand’s four mortality review committees operate under the umbrella of the Health Quality & Safety Commission (HQSC). They don't report directly to the Minister of Health, but contribute to the wider goals of the HQSC as statutory committees with particular defined quality functions.
Child and Youth Mortality Review Committee
The Child and Youth Mortality Review Committee (CYMRC) reviews the deaths of children and young people aged 28 days up to 25 years, in order to learn how to prevent such deaths.
Family Violence Death Review Committee
The Family Violence Death Review Committee (FVDRC) reviews all deaths related to family violence in New Zealand.
Perinatal and Maternal Mortality Review Committee
The Perinatal and Maternal Mortality Review Committee (PMMRC) reviews the deaths of babies and mothers in New Zealand.
Perioperative Mortality Review Committee
The Perioperative Mortality Review Committee (POMRC) reviews deaths following any invasive procedure and deaths following anaesthesia (local, regional or general).
Public Health Advisory Committee
The Public Health Advisory Committee provides the Minister and associates with independent advice reflecting the perspectives of Maori and the wider community. Using evidence-based thinking, the committee considers equity approaches and population health needs to provide a public voice on important population health issues.