The Medical Council of New Zealand’s purpose is to protect the public by ensuring doctors are competent and fit to practise. We do this by: • registering doctors • setting standards to be met by practising doctors • promoting lifelong learning for doctors • reviewing concerns about a doctor’s competence, professional conduct, or health. Our role is defined by the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003. Our functions include: • maintaining a medical register of all registered doctors (practising and non-practising) • issuing practising certificates to doctors who are fit to practice • monitoring the training of medical students and new doctors to ensure their medical education is appropriate • ensuring doctors undertake continuing learning and professional development • assess a doctor’s performance in response to concerns expressed by a patient, colleagues, or other organisation • impose conditions on, or suspend, a doctor’s practice if appropriate.