Wednesday, 17 November 2021
Michael Vaughan
[FYI request #16802 email] Re: Official Information Act Request – DHB COVID Treatment Protocols
Kia ora Michael
Thank you for your request for information under the Official Information Act 1982.
The Hauora Tairāwhiti response is as follows:
1. What is the Covid-19 treatment protocol for hospitalised cases?
Hauora Tairāwhiti follows the National COVID-19 treatment guidelines. These are available on the Ministry of
Health website.
2. Are some DHB's following different treatment protocols from others?
We are unable to comment on treatment protocols used at other DHB’s
3. Are DHB’s free to make decisions about treatments for individuals with Covid-19?
Yes, as with all management there can be local decisions made however it would be standard practice to
adhere to the evidence base.
4. To what extent are patients able to participate in decision-making about their treatment
programmes?
We expect our clinical teams to work alongside patients to develop shared goals of care and design
management around those. Choices around treatment would be discussed with the patient as part of that,
including the issues when there are not treatments available or proven for the condition being treated.
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?
There would be a discussion with the patient around their wishes and clinical consideration given as to the
appropriateness of the request. If the request was to have a test or treatment that is not currently
appropriate or indicated given the latest available recommendations or evidence in general, it would not be
done. Vitamin D testing is supported in some scenarios and therefore would depend on the clinical context.
Given there is no current clinical evidence-based recommendation for high dose Vitamin C we do not
provide it as part of treatment.
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?
Yes, they do. If requests are illegal, do not meet best practice guidelines and/or are not funded by the public
health system we can refuse a request. There are a number of ways to appeal decisions; however, it would
depend on the type of request.
If you are not satisfied with this response you may contact the Office of the Ombudsmen, phone 0800 802
602.
Please note this response or an edited version of this response may be published on the Hauora Tairāwhiti
DHB website. Your personal/identifying information will be redacted from any responses published. If you
feel that there are good reasons why your response should not be made publicly available, we will be happy
to consider this.
Ngā mihi
Jim Green
Chief Executive
Hauora Tairāwhiti
