16 April 2020
Ms Van Wey Lovatt
Email - [email address]
Dear Ms Van Wey Lovatt
Official Information Act (OIA) Request IA Y20-567 Policy on
requests from third party providers of pathology specimens
for second opinion
Your Official Information Act request on 22 March 2020 is
acknowledged and was passed on to me for a response.
You have made the following two requests:
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.
Your request is refused under section 18 (e) of the Official Information
Act 1982 as the information requested does not exist.
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.
You have the right to seek an investigation and review of our decision by
the Ombudsman. The Ombudsman’s Office can be contacted on 0800
802 602 or on-line at http://www.ombudsman.parlaiment.nz/
Strategy, Planning & Performance
MidCentral District Health Board, PO Box 2056, Palmerston North. Phone: 06 350 8928 Fax: 06 350 8926
Please note that this response, or an edited version of this response, may
be published on the MidCentral DHB website ten working days after
your receipt of this response.
Yours sincerely
Craig Johnston
General Manager Strategy, Planning and Performance
Strategy, Planning & Performance
MidCentral District Health Board, PO Box 2056, Palmerston North. Phone: 06 350 8928 Fax: 06 350 8926