The Government has taken the next step in its plans to cut compliance costs for
small businesses - setting up a panel of experts to test compliance costs faced
by general practitioners.

Health Minister Wyatt Creech today announced the establishment of the General
Practitioner Compliance Cost Reduction Test Panel.

"Doctors have raised concerns with me about compliance costs. The Test Panel
will help address the concerns."

The aim of the pilot Test Panel is to develop practical proposals to reduce
general practitioner compliance costs.

The panel will be chaired by Dr Tricia Briscoe a Rotorua GP and member of the
New Zealand Medical Association Board.

It will look at where coordination and collaboration between Government agencies
can reduce compliance costs, simplify information requirements placed on general
practitioners and claiming processes.

The pilot Test Panel will be evaluated to determine whether it is an efficient
method for reducing compliance costs and identify any improvements needed for
the roll out of other test panels.

This first test panel is part of the Government's Bright Futures package which
includes measures to make life simpler for small businesses by cutting red tape,
and removing outdated regulations and laws.

The panels will advise the Government on the impact of proposed legislation
before final Parliamentary approval.

ENDS

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