26 October 2021
WHANGANUI
DISTRICT HEALTH BOARD
Michael Vaughan
Te Poari Hauora o Whanganui
Via email: fyi-request-16802-906337e6@req uests. fyi .org .nz
100 Heads Road, Private Bag 3003
Whanganui 4540, New Zealand
Tena koe Michael
Official Information Request- OIA 13813 COVID Treatment Protocols
The Whanganui District Health Board (WDHB) has received the transfer of your request from the Ministry
of Health on 29 September 2021 under Section 14 of the OIA. You requested the following information:
1) What is the Covid-19 treatment protocol for hospitalised cases?
2) Are some DHB's following different treatment protocols from others?
3) Are DHB's free to make decisions about treatments for individuals with Covid-19?
4) To what extent are patients able to participate in decision-making about their treatment
programmes?
5) If a patient requests a blood test for Vitamin D and/or the administration of high dosage Vitamin
C, are hospital staff able to provide these?
6) Do hospital staff have the right to refuse a patient's request and, if so, is there a process for a
patient to appeal the decision?"
The Whanganui District Health Board response:
1) What is the Covid-19 treatment protocol for hospitalised cases?
As per the MoH guidance which can be found on their website.
https: //www. hea Ith .govt. nz/ our-work/ diseases-and-conditions/ covid-19-novel-coronavirus/ covid-
19-i nformation-hea Ith-professionals/ covid-19-advice-al I-health-professionals
2) Are some DHB's following different treatment protocols from others?
Not able to answer that - I don't have visibility of other DHBs.
3) Are DHB's free to make decisions about treatments for individuals with Covid-19?
All treatment of all patients can and should be individualised to each patient's specific situation.
4) To what extent are patients able to participate in decision-making about their
treatment programmes?
The approach of the WDHB is patient and whanau centred care. Wherever possible this means
that patients are able to participate in decision-making about their care.
5) If a patient requests a blood test for Vitamin D and/or the administration of high
dosage Vitamin C, are hospital staff able to provide these?
In theory, yes, but management decisions in each circumstance would be based on their
individual merits.
6) Do hospital staff have the right to refuse a patient's request and, if so, is there a
process for a patient to appeal the decision?"
Just as a patient has a right to refuse care recommended, a health care provider has a right to
refuse to provide care and treatment that is not viewed as in the best interest of the patient, or is
deemed an inappropriate use of scarce health resources. In all cases, it is expected that health
Chief Executive I Phone 06 348 3140 I
Fax 06 345 9390
Better health and independence I He hauora poi ake, he rangatiratanga
wdhb.org.nz
professionals can demonstrate careful consideration of the entire circumstances of the situation
including the evidence, and as would be expected there are avenues to review such decisions
both internally and externally should it be deemed necessary by either party.
Should you have any further queries about the above information, please contact our OIA
co-ordinator Anne Phoenix at [email address]
Nga mihi
Graham Dyer
Kaihautu Hauora - Acting Chief Executive
Whanganui District Health Board
