133 Molesworth Street
PO Box 5013
Wellington 6140
New Zealand
T+64 4 496 2000
Richard James
By email:
[FYI request #15310 email] Ref:
H202105171
Dear Richard James
Response to your request for official information Thank you for your request under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act) on 2021 for:
“Please could the National Ambulance Sector Office (NASO) provide all information they
have regarding the effects on aeromedical transfer of patients caused by Wellington
Airport's recent night-time runway closures
Particularly:
- All communication NASO had with Wellington Airport regarding the runway closures
- Any notification by or discussion within NASO regarding the effects on national
(Auckland-based) specialist aeromedical services (including pediatric)
- Any notification by or discussion within NASO regarding the effects on regional
aeromedical services (Hawkes Bay, Nelson Marlborough, Capital & Coast, and Wanganui
DHBs)
- The number of patients affected (who could not be transferred, were taken to other
airports, or transfer was delayed) & assessment of any harm caused to them
- Any assessment of the financial cost to aeromedical services caused by Wellington
Airport runway closures
The Ministry of Health (The Ministry) has conducted a search to locate any documentation that
may be within scope of your request. Three emails have been identified. Please find these
attached. Some information has been withheld under section 9(2)(a) of the Act, to protect the
privacy of natural persons. There has been no further correspondence or communication NASO
has received regarding the Wellington Airport runway closure.
However, additional information may be held by the relevant District Health Boards (DHBs)
identified within your request. Please refer to the following link for a list of DHBs and their
websites:
www.health.govt.nz/new-zealand-health-system/key-health-sector-organisations-and-
people/district-health-boards/district-health-board-websites. Under section 28(3) of the Act you have the right to ask the Ombudsman to review any
decisions made under this request. The Ombudsman may be contacted by email at:
[email address] or by calling 0800 802 602.
Please note that this response, with your personal details removed, may be published on the
Ministry website at:
www.health.govt.nz/about-ministry/information-releases/responses-official-
information-act-requests. Yours sincerely
Monique Burrows
Group Manager, Primary Health Care System Improvement and Innovation
Health System Improvement and Innovation
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