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Accident Compensation Act 2001

Entitlements and related matters - Vocational rehabilitation

93: Medical assessor

You could also call this:

"A special doctor checks if you can work after an injury"

When you need a medical assessment for vocational rehabilitation, a special doctor called a medical assessor must do it. This doctor needs to have certain qualifications and experience.

If the medical assessor is a general practitioner (a doctor you might see for everyday health issues), they need to have worked with helping people with disabilities in workplaces or with getting people back to work after an injury. They also need to have been a doctor for at least 5 years. On top of that, they must either be a highly qualified GP, be training to become one, or have done extra training in this area.

If the medical assessor is not a general practitioner, they still need experience with helping people with disabilities at work or getting people back to work. They also need to be part of a recognised group of medical specialists.

These rules make sure that the doctor doing your assessment knows a lot about helping people get back to work after an injury or illness.

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This page was last updated on

View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM101441.

Topics:
Health and wellbeing > Healthcare servicesWork and jobs > Worker rightsWork and jobs > Workplace safety
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Part 4Entitlements and related matters
Vocational rehabilitation

93Medical assessor

  1. A medical assessment must be undertaken by a medical practitioner who is described in subsection (2) or subsection (3).

  2. A medical practitioner who provides general medical services must also—

  3. have an interest, and proven work experience, in disability management in the workplace or in occupational rehabilitation; and
    1. have at least 5 years' experience in general practice; and
      1. meet at least 1 of the following criteria:
        1. be a Fellow of the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners or hold an equivalent qualification:
          1. be undertaking training towards becoming a Fellow of the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners or holding an equivalent qualification:
            1. have undertaken relevant advanced training.

            2. A medical practitioner who does not provide general medical services must—

            3. have an interest, and proven work experience, in disability management in the workplace or in occupational rehabilitation; and
              1. be a member of a recognised college.

                Notes
                • Section 93: substituted, on , by section 175(1) of the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003 (2003 No 48).