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Submissions

A crucial part of the work we do at Auckland Women’s Health Council involves participating in consultations on various health issues that impact women and their families. This participation includes providing written responses to/submissions on a wide range of consultation papers issued by the Government and Government agencies and other entities in the health and disability sector.

We complete this work under circumstances that are often challenging. This is because many consultations have unrealistic time-frames for producing meaningful and well-researched submissions.

In addition to participating in and responding to consultations, we are also involved in policy advocacy work. This includes writing letters to health authorities and the Minister of Health as well as making representations to elected representatives and other stakeholders.

Written submission on the Women's Health Strategy March 2023

Over the last few years Auckland Women’s Health Council has added our voice to the increasingly loud calls for inequities and disparities in women’s health to be addressed. In our submission on the Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Bill we argued strongly for a women’s health strategy to be added to the health strategies to be developed under the new legislation. This is our submission on the women’s health strategy.

 

 

 

Early input into the Review of the HDC Act 1994 and the Code of Consumer Rights March 2023

AWHC was invited to provide early input into the HDC’s review of the HDC Act 1994 and the Health and Disability Commissioner (Code of Health and Disability Services Consumers’ Rights) Regulations 1996

Oral Submission on the Therapeutic Products Bill - 22 March 2023

Our oral submission on the Therapeutic Products Bill, emphasising the need for consumer representation, patient safety and better regulation of implantable medical devices. Our submission begins at 2:48.

Written Submission Therapeutic Products Bill 2023

Our written submission on the Therapeutic Products Bill, which is to replace the Medicines Act 1981 and introduces a new therapeutic products regulator. 5 March 2023.

Revised Midwifery Scope of Practice Submission

Written submission on the Midwifery Council’s revised Scope of Midwifery Practice

Written submission on Ethical Guidance for a Pandemic

AWHC written submission on the revised National Ethics Advisory Committee guidelines on Ethical Guidance for a Pandemic – November 2022

Written submission on Doctors and health-related commercial organisations

Written submission on the Medical Council’s revised statement on Doctors and health-related commercial organisations – October 2022

Written Submission on a new adoption system for Aotearoa New Zealand

The AWHC previously made a submissions on adoption law reform in 2021. This submission is on the options that the Ministry of Justice is considering for a new adoption system - August 2022

Proposed changes to the promotion and provision of healthy drinks in schools

The Ministry of Education sought feedback on proposed changes to the promotion and provision of healthy drinks in schools. However, the discussion concentrated only on the contribution of sugary drinks to tooth decay ignoring wide health issues such as obesity, and completely omitted any discussion on healthy food. Our submission challenged that apporach and discussed the wider health issues of both sugary drinks and unhealthy food – June 2022

Written submission on the Draft Diabetes Action Plan

April 2022

Accident Compensation (Maternal Birth Injury and Other Matters) Amendment Bill Oral Submission

Video of AWHC’s oral submission (starting at 35 seconds) on the Accident Compensation (Maternal Birth Injury and Other Matters) Amendment Bill presented to the Education and Workforce Select Committee on the 30th of March 2022.

Written Submission on a new adoption system for Aotearoa New Zealand

The AWHC previously made a submissions on adoption law reform in 2021. This submission is on the options that the Ministry of Justice is considering for a new adoption system - August 2022

Pae Ora (Healthy Futures Bill) 2021 Oral Submission

Starting at 1:26:05 in the video, our oral submission we discussed the important ways in which we believe the Pae Ora Bill can be enhanced and strengthened for the benefit of all New Zealanders. This is a once in a generation opportunity for radical change, a paradigm shift in the way that our health is structured, and services delivered, leading to a real difference in the lives of our people

Pae Ora (Healthy Futures Bill) 2021 Written Submission

On the 9th of November, the Government published the Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Bill, the draft legislation that will provide the legislative structure for the new health system. When enacted, this legislation will replace the New Zealand Public Health and Disability Act 2000 in its entirety. AWHC lodged a substantial submission on this critical piece of legislation in December 2021.

Submissions on the Right to Appeal Decisions made by the Health & Disability Commissioner

Over a period of about 18 months, AWHC was involved with supporting Renate Schütte’s Parliamentary petition requesting that the “House of Representatives amend the Health and Disability Commissioner Act 1994 to give complainants, and those that are the subject of complaints, the right to appeal decisions made by the Health and Disability Commissioner.”

Te Kōpū Whāngai: He Arotake Review of Surrogacy 2021

AWHC’s submission on the Law Commission “Issues Paper” on surrogacy law reform, September 2021.

Adoption Law Reform 2021

AWHC’s written submission on the Ministry of Justice’s consultation on Adoption Law Reform, August 2021.

Smokefree Aotearoa 2025

This submission on vaping is prepared by ASH. It takes a public health perspective by recognising the still high levels of smoking in the adult population. ASH identifies vaping as a strategy to reach the public health goal of achieving the Smokefree 2025 goal and to reduce the inequitable burden of disease that is experienced by Maori as a result of cigarette smoking. 

National Cervical Screening Programme 2021

Submission of the Auckland Women’s Health Council on the consultation on the HPV Clincial Pathway.

Abortion Safe Areas- Amendment Bill 2021

Oral Submission on the Contraception, Sterilisation, and Abortion (Safe Areas) Amendment Bill- May 2021.

Abortion Safe Areas- Amendment Bill 2021

Written Submission on the Contraception, Sterilisation, and Abortion (Safe Areas) Amendment Bill- May 2021.

Definition of FGM Amendment Bill

Crimes (Definition of Female Genital Mutilation) Amendment Bill- 2021.

Abortion Law Reform- 2019

Abortion Law Reform Submission- September 2019.

Therapeutic Products Bill Consultation

We responded to the following questions in the consultation document:

B13, B14, B16, B27, B35, C1, C4, C5, C11, C12, C13, C16, C52, C53

Our responses – in blue text – start at Question B13 on page 52 of 198 of the document.

National Ethics Standards for Health and Disability Research

AWHC Submission on NEAC Draft National Ethics Standards for Health and Disability Research.

Proposed changes to the NHI system

AWHC Submission on Proposed Changes to the National Health Index (NHI) system.

Abortion Law Reform- 2018

Abortion Law Reform Submission from the Auckland Women’s Health Council to the Law Commission.

National Cervical Screening Programme- May 2018

Health (National Cervical Screening Programme) Amendment Bill Submission from the Auckland Women’s Health Council.

Adult Participants Unable to Provide Informed Consent

Health and disability research involving adult participants who are unable to provide informed consent Auckland Women’s Health Council Submission – April 2017.

Health Research Strategy

New Zealand Health Research Strategy Discussion Document
Submission.

Omics-based technologies- April 2016

Introduction of Fit for Purpose Omics-based Technologies – Think Piece.

Code of Rights- February 2014

Submission on the review of the Health & Disability Commissioner Act 1994 & Code of Rights – 2014.

Medicines Amendment Bill

Auckland Women’s Health Council submission on Medicines Amendment Bill.

SOPs for Health and Disability Ethics Committees

AWHC Submission on Draft SOPs for Health & Disability Ethics Committees – February 2012.

Code of Rights- February 2009

Submission on the review of the Health & Disability Commissioner Act 1994 & Code of Rights – 2009.