ANZMES Advocates For Equitable Healthcare In Regulatory Reform Submission

ANZMES (The Associated New Zealand Myalgic Encephalomyelitis Society) is proud to announce its detailed submission to the Ministry of Health as part of the consultation on modernising health workforce regulation in New Zealand. This important initiative represents a key opportunity to advocate for a healthcare system that prioritises equity, inclusivity, and patient-centred care.

In our submission, ANZMES emphasised the pressing need for systemic change, outlining practical and impactful solutions to enhance healthcare delivery for individuals with ME/CFS and other underserved communities. Key recommendations included:

• Establishing integrated care models to support patients with complex conditions.
• Implementing patient feedback mechanisms to ensure healthcare policies align with patient needs.
• Advancing awareness through public campaigns about ME/CFS and related conditions.
• Promoting mandatory upskilling and education through CME-accredited evidence-based programmes and resources.
• Championing the creation of a Centre of Excellence for ME/CFS, a transformative initiative to drive research, education, and patient advocacy.

ANZMES also addressed key consultation questions, advocating for inclusive regulation that upholds safety while fostering workforce sustainability. Our recommendations included streamlining processes for overseas-trained professionals and supporting culturally responsive care practices to address the unique needs of Māori, Pasifika, tangata whaikaha disabled, and other underserved populations.

“Systemic healthcare reform is not just about meeting today’s challenges—it’s about ensuring a sustainable, inclusive system for generations to come,” said Fiona Charlton, President at ANZMES. “This submission reflects ANZMES’s unwavering commitment to driving positive change for all New Zealanders.”

We encourage our community and supporters to stay engaged as this important consultation progresses. Together, we can create a healthcare system that serves everyone with fairness, compassion, and innovation.

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