Health Minister Simeon Brown has appointed four people to the Nursing Council of New Zealand, adding two lay members and two health practitioner members to the regulator that oversees nurses’ competence and fitness to practise.

The appointees are:

• Alex Gordon (lay member), chief executive of Hospice Waikato with more than two decades in health service management and leadership.
• Amanda Singleton (lay member), a professional director and independent consultant with governance roles across electricity, water, and telecommunications.
• Helen Nielsen (health practitioner member), an experienced nurse and clinical tutor with more than 40 years in the profession and a strong background in education.
• Dr Julia Hennessy (health practitioner member), a health and education consultant with senior leadership and governance experience across tertiary education, health, and mental health.

All terms commence today. The Minister’s statement did not specify term lengths or who the new members replace. Brown said the mix of governance, sector leadership and clinical experience would support the Council’s work protecting public health and safety.