25 November 2021
Scout Barbour Evans
By email:
[FYI request #17182 email]
Dear Scout
Official Information Act request: Patient Transfers out of Auckland due to the current COVID
outbreak
Thank you for your Official Information Act request transferred from the Ministry of Health to the
Northern Region DHBs on 27 October 2021:
1. How many patients have been transported from Auckland to other DHBs to receive
emergent care unable to be provided otherwise?
2. Of those patients, can you please provide a breakdown of the DHBs these patients have
been sent to?
3. Of those patients, can you please provide a breakdown of the departmental/medical area
those patients are needing transportation for? eg: NICU, surgical, medical etc.
Response
We are unable to provide a full response within the 20 working days timeframe due to our response
to COVID-19, as our clinicians, managers and staff are concentrating on measures to manage the
current COVID-19 Delta outbreak in the region.
Given these circumstances you wil , therefore, understand the ongoing capacity constraints within
the Auckland DHB system to respond with our normal timeliness to OIA requests.
It is therefore necessary to extend the time required to make a decision on your request for
information in accordance with section 15A of the Official Information Act. This is because the
information cannot reasonably be identified, collated or reviewed by the necessary people within 20
working days without unreasonably interfering with our operations. As such, we expect that a
decision will be made on the balance of your request and communicated to you by 8 December (10
working days from the due date of your request). However, we wil endeavour to get the response
to you as soon as possible within this timeframe, if possible.
Welcome Haere Mai | Respect Manaaki | Together Tūhono | Aim High Angamua
adhb.health.nz
You are entitled to seek a review of the response by the Ombudsman under section 28(3) of the
Official Information Act. Information about how to make a complaint is at
www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or freephone 0800 802 602.
Yours sincerely,
Ailsa Claire, OBE
Chief Executive
2
Welcome Haere Mai | Respect Manaaki | Together Tūhono | Aim High Angamua
adhb.health.nz
