Petition request

That the House of Representatives establish a fully resourced, independent Patient Safety Commissioner (PSC) accountable to Parliament to take a proactive approach to preventing patient harm, with powers to take or require action.

Petition reason

We believe too many people have been harmed in NZ’s health system because of system failures that have not been identified through existing processes. In our view, the HDC, HQSC, ACC and Medical Council lack independence. Existing processes primarily only respond after harm has already occurred, rather than being able to proactively assess and prevent systemic harm. We see a better model than the NZ status quo in the English and imminent Scottish independent Patient Safety Commissioners.

Petition progress

  • Open for signatures
  • Closed for signatures
  • Select Committee
  • Reported
  • Referred to Minister
Number of signatures: 230
Date presented: 27 Jun 2024
SC Report(s): 18 Dec 2025 (Final)
Closing date: 26 Jun 2024