Printed from https://fyi.org.nz/request/policy_on_requests_from_third_pa_14 on May 19, 2024 13:00

Policy on requests from third party providers of pathology specimens for second opinion

Amy S Van Wey Lovatt (Account suspended) made this Official Information request to Tairawhiti District Health Board

The request was successful.

From: Amy S Van Wey Lovatt (Account suspended)

Dear DHB,

I am a New Zealand citizen, which is demonstrated by the fact that the MoH has already confirmed my citizenship prior to responding to my OIA requests (or a google search of my name).

The Royal College of Pathologists Australasia has a policy titled "Provision of second opinions with particular reference to morphological examination", which addresses the best practice with regards to referral for second and subsequent opinion of pathology specimens.

Request 1:
I respectfully request your DHB's policy on second opinions requested by a third party who is a medical practitioner currently involved in the medical care of the patient from whom the pathological material was originally obtained.

Request 2:
In the event that your DHB deviates from the aforementioned RCPA policy, I request an explanation for why your DHB deviates from best practice.

Please note, my request does not reflect the standard of care provided at your DHB, but is to ascertain whether there is consistent adherence to RCPA best practice amongst all NZ DHBs.

Yours faithfully,

Amy S Van Wey Lovatt

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From: Emily Oakley
Tairawhiti District Health Board

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Kia ora Amy

 

Thank you for contacting Hauora Tairāwhiti. Your Official Information Act
request has been received.

Please note that many key staff involved with the sourcing and preparation
of material for your OIA request are also directly involved with the work
associated with COVID-19.

This may impact our ability to respond to certain OIA requests within
normal timeframes.

 

Ngā mihi

Emily

 

 

[1]cid:image001.png@01D601B7.C547D370  
Emily Oakley
Communications Advisor
Phone: 06 869 0500 ext: 8115
[mobile number]
Address: 421 Ormond Road,
Gisborne, 4010
[2]www.hauoratairawhiti.org.nz
[3]Facebook.com/Hauora
Tairawhiti
[4]cid:image003.jpg@01D601B8.9584B1C0

 

 

 

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From: Emily Oakley
Tairawhiti District Health Board

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Attachment RESPONSE 12841 Policy re pathology specimens.pdf
499K Download View as HTML

Kia ora Amy

 

Please find attached, a response to your OIA request re: policy on
requests from third party providers of pathology specimens for second
opinion.

 

Ngā mihi

 

Emily

 

 
Emily Oakley
Communications Advisor
Phone: 06 869 0500 ext: 8115
[mobile number]
Address: 421 Ormond Road,
Gisborne, 4010
[1]www.hauoratairawhiti.org.nz
[2]Facebook.com/Hauora
Tairawhiti

 

 

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From: Amy S Van Wey Lovatt (Account suspended)

Dear Emily Oakley,

I was very confused by your response. Even if your DHB contracts out pathology services, third party health practitioners would make requests directly to your DHB for pathology specimens as the DHB ultimately responsible for the tissue. Thus, to clarify:

Request 1: Does this mean your DHB has adopted the RCPA policy, which is the professional standard, for such requests given there is no written policy?

Request 2: If not, I respectfully request a description of your DHB's standard practice regarding such requests and in the event that your DHB's standard practice is NOT consistent with the RCPA policy, then an explanation for the devation from the professional standards.

Request 3: If your standard practice is to forward requests to the contracting agency, then I respectfully request that your DHB forward my OIA request to the appropriate agency, pursuant to section 14 of the OIA. To avoid any misunderstanding, when I refer to policy, I would also include any standard practice, written or unwritten.

Yours sincerely,

Amy S Van Wey Lovatt

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From: Emily Oakley
Tairawhiti District Health Board

Good morning Amy

Please find a response to your follow-up questions below:

Request 1: Does this mean your DHB has adopted the RCPA policy, which is the professional standard, for such requests given there is no written policy?

Request 2: If not, I respectfully request a description of your DHB's standard practice regarding such requests and in the event that your DHB's standard practice is NOT consistent with the RCPA policy, then an explanation for the deviation from the professional standards.

Request 3: If your standard practice is to forward requests to the contracting agency, then I respectfully request that your DHB forward my OIA request to the appropriate agency, pursuant to section 14 of the OIA. To avoid any misunderstanding, when I refer to policy, I would also include any standard practice, written or unwritten.

Hauora Tairāwhiti clinicians request second pathology opinions through MedLab Central, the DHB's contracted Pathology and Laboratory Services provider. MedLab Central pathologists seek second opinions in accordance with the RCPA policy.

All MedLab pathologists are Fellows of the Royal Australasian College of Pathologists, and conduct their practice in full accordance with the policies of that College. Their procedures are annually scrutinized by the accrediting agency, IANZ, for compliance.

Under the Official Information Act, Hauora Tairāwhiti cannot forward this request to MedLab Central, as this agency is a private organisation which is not subject to the terms of the Act.

Kind regards
Emily

Emily Oakley
Communications Advisor
Phone: 06 869 0500 ext: 8115
[mobile number]
Address: 421 Ormond Road, Gisborne, 4010
www.hauoratairawhiti.org.nz
Facebook.com/Hauora Tairawhiti

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Things to do with this request

Anyone:
Tairawhiti District Health Board only: