Frequently Asked Questions

Yes - Safe Haven is a pathway that allows some CAA medical examiners the discretion to deal with pilots and air traffic controllers with a change in health and wellbeing, without the usual obligations to inform CAA of the detail. The concept behind Safe Haven is an extension of that well established by peer networks, such as PAN and HIMS. Such programmes operate 'safe harbours or zones.'

While funding is made possible through a partnership between the regulator and NZALPA, Safe Haven is supported by a range of organisations representing aviation in New Zealand, including AIANZ, NZAF, Air New Zealand, Airways and CAA.

Any CAA medical certificate holder. That includes New Zealand pilots – commercial, and recreational, and Air Traffic Controllers.

Entry into (and exit from) Safe Haven is a voluntary decision by the pilot or air traffic controller as an alternative to the current system of approaching and informing CAA directly about a change in health and wellbeing status. Pilots and air traffic controllers can select and contact their Safe Haven MESH by the method chosen by that MESH on the Safe Haven web page. MESHs can also be identified on the CAA NZ medical examiners website. MESH may contact you by phone or virtually initially – or make an appointment to see when this is required.

Yes.

No. Your medical records will only be forwarded to your normal medical examiner with your consent.

MESHs will support pilots and air traffic controllers through health issues that could affect their fitness and their medical certificate. MESHs will help identify steps for maintaining your flying/operational privileges, or minimising time off. They will also work with you to help navigate the CAA medical system. They will assist pilots and air traffic controllers in having control of the process. Pilots and air traffic controllers are expected to work with their MESH, and to take responsibility for and participate in their own solutions, and to help identify steps for maintaining flying/operational privileges, or minimising time off flying or operating when it is safe to do so.

NZALPA and CAA have a two-year agreement to co-fund Safe Haven. Under this agreement, pilots and air traffic controllers have access up to two hours of MESH time at no cost. You may be liable to pay for a MESH's fees beyond this initial time. The Safe Haven Trust may also consider applications for ongoing paid MESH time based on hardship needs.

Yes, you have met your duties under the CAA Act.

Safe Haven does not replace but complements the work and importance of peer support organisations and their volunteers. Safe Haven is available for peer support providers and programs to refer pilots or air traffic controllers who require health professional support. This will only happen if the pilot or air traffic controller chooses to do this.

Pilots and air traffic controllers can withdraw from Safe Haven support at any time. When this happens the Safe Haven Medical Director will need to decide how much of a risk a person's medical condition is to flight safety. Under some limited circumstances the Medical Director will need to inform CAA of this. Pilots and controllers are reminded that they have a legal duty to report a change in medical condition if they leave Safe Haven with a condition that may remain of safety relevance.

Industry feedback and best practice highlight the need.

No, the old system has been very safe – commercial aviation is the second safest form of public transport (after elevators!). Safe Haven strengthens this safety and builds better trust.

MESHs and the Safe Haven Medical Director follow strict protocols in the Safe Haven Privacy Policy and Procedures. The Safe Haven Medical Director would only share information with CAA under rare safety-critical circumstances, such as person was an immediate and significant risk to themselves or others.

NZALPA is the co-founding and co-funding partner with CAA, ensuring confidence and pilot and air traffic controller support.

MESH can recommend that you have a period off work/flying WITHOUT taking action on your medical certificate, up to a maximum of 30 days, while awaiting further investigation, clarification or resolution of a problem. They can also take actions to suspend or disqualify your medical certificate under Safe Haven WITHOUT the need to provide the reason or diagnosis to CAA, just the fact that the suspension or disqualification has occurred.

Yes they can.

There are a range of possible actions, starting with having the decision reviewed by the Safe Haven Medical Director, who may discuss it with CAA medical unit without identifying you. Further options, ranging right up to an application for a Convener Review or appeal to the District Court, would necessarily involve informing CAA.

Yes - there is a privacy and confidentiality policy which lays down clearly the requirements for collection, secure storage, handling, and (in very limited conditions) disclosure of confidential information - this has been prepared on the advice of a specialist privacy lawyer. This confidentiality is subject to the requirement to notify certain conditions to CAA. These are not surprising ones and include conditions with serious risk such as seizures, severe addictions, etc. These situations are rare.

Yes but in practice they will be very unusual and rare. Such circumstances may include when: • The requirements your MESH has applied for treatment/monitoring are not followed • You ask for a Convenor review or District Court appeal of your case • There is a court order requiring it • After careful consideration and discussion with you by the Safe Haven Medical Director that acceptable levels of safety cannot be maintained A condition which the MESH believes will not be resolved within 6 months needs to be notified to the Safe Haven Medical Director. Any confidentiality breach would be discussed first between the individual and the Safe Haven Medical Director. This process is no different from the current requirements for information disclosure by health professionals where there is a significant public safety risk and is allowed for under the Privacy Act.

Safe Haven provides de-identified information (numbers of cases, range of conditions etc.). In the rare safety critical situations more specific information may be shared by the Medical Director with CAA in the unusual situations mentioned in the previous answer. Any disclosure to CAA would first be with your consent, without identifying the individual, and identification would follow only if it was clear that this was necessary to maintain safety, in the presence of a condition with significant aeromedical risk. The protocols for such disclosure are laid down in the privacy and confidentiality document and other Safe Haven documents.

Yes - but typically by then, the condition will have either resolved or developed to a point that its aviation safety implications are clear. In any case, you are required to disclose the medical condition and that it was managed under Safe Haven, which means that your obligations for disclosure will already have been met. Any questions about whether there should have been any escalation beyond Safe Haven will be directed to the MESH.