New Zealand Legislation: Acts

18 Mortality review committees

• (1) The Minister may appoint 1 or more committees established under section 11 to carry out any of the following functions that the Minister specifies by notice to the committee:

  • (a) to review and report to the Minister or 1 or more other specified committees on specified classes of deaths of persons, or deaths of persons of specified classes, with a view to reducing the numbers of deaths of those classes or persons, and to continuous quality improvement through the promotion of ongoing quality assurance programmes:

  • (b) to advise on any other matters related to mortality that the Minister specifies in the notice.

  (2) A committee appointed under subsection (1) must develop strategic plans and methodologies that—

  • (a) are designed to reduce morbidity and mortality; and

  • (b) are relevant to the committee's functions.

  (3) A committee appointed under subsection (1) must, at least annually, provide the Minister with a report on its progress in carrying out its functions; and the Ministry of Health must include each such report in the Ministry's next annual report.

  (4) As soon as practicable after appointing a committee under subsection (1), or receiving a report or advice from such a committee, the Minister must present to the House of Representatives a copy of the appointment, report, or advice.

  (5) The provisions of Schedule 5 apply in relation to a committee appointed under subsection (1).

  (6) Every person who fails, without reasonable excuse, to comply with a requirement imposed under Schedule 5 by the chairperson of a committee appointed under subsection (1) commits an offence and is liable to a fine not exceeding $10,000.

  (7) Every person who discloses information contrary to Schedule 5 commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000.

  (8) Any member of a registered occupational profession who commits an offence under subsection (6) or subsection (7) is liable to any disciplinary proceedings of that profession in respect of the offence, whether or not he or she is fined under that subsection.