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

Dear Megan Doran,

I am confused by the response I received regarding my OIA request for your DHB's policy for requests from third party providers of pathology specimens for second opinion.

You stated: "The MidCentral District Health Board has no documented 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. All MidCentral DHB clinical staff follow best practice guidance of their relevant professional colleges."

Request 1:
To clarify, if your DHB has not adopted a specific policy, how can you be assured that your clinical staff follow the best practice of their relevant professional colleges?

Request 2:
To be clear, does this mean that your DHB staff follow the RCPA policy regarding such requests?

Even if there is not a written policy, your DHB must have a standard practice.

Request 3:
I respectfully request a description of your DHB's standard practice regarding requests by third party providers for second opinions of pathology specimens.

Request 4:
In the event that your DHB's standard practice is inconsistent with the RCPA policy, I respectfully request an explanation for why your DHB deviates from the professional standard set out by the RCPA policy.

Yours sincerely,
Amy S Van Wey Lovatt

Dear Megan Doran,

Thank you very much for the clarification of your response.

Just as you are aware, I would have been very pleased to have originally received a response which stated, "Our DHB follows the RCPA policy", which would have taken all of 30 seconds.

Yours sincerely,

Amy S Van Wey Lovatt