21 September 2022
Scott
[FYI request #19506 email]
Tēnā koe Scott
Your Official Information Act request, reference H202207285.
Thank you for your email of 31 May 2022 requesting information relating to the COVID-19 privacy
impact assessment.
As part of the health and disability system reforms, as of 1 July 2022 the functions previously under
the Manatū Hauora Care in the Community team have transferred to Te Whatu Ora Health New
Zealand (Te Whatu Ora). As the matters you have raised now fal under the functions of Te Whatu
Ora, our agency wil respond to your request which has been considered under the Official
Information Act 1982 (the Act). You requested the fol owing:
“ONE: On page 56, an approval process for this tool is apparently referred to:
“Population based clinical risk score field is visible – this is not populated and won’t be until that
tool and the clinical implications are signed off by the Director-General”
I would like to request a copy of the decision document presented to the Director-General for his
approval for implementation of the tool. If approval was not given by the Director-General, then I
would like this to be taken to mean whatever senior-most official in the Ministry granted approval.
If the decision document was accompanied by any supporting information I would like to request
this as well.
TWO: If a Business Case and/or Implementation Plan was generated for the implementation of this
tool, I would like to request copies of them.
THREE: On page 79 a review of the tool, apparently performed by Precision Driven Health, is
referred to: “The PDH review notes that this tool was developed based on a cohort of patients which
may not reflect reality with the Omicron variant and was for a localised Auckland area outbreak
which may not also be reflected nationally.” I would like to request a copy of this review.
FOUR: If any other reviews of the performance of this tool have been conducted, I would like to
request copies of them.
FIVE: If the risk of implementing this tool was assessed as per the criteria of the StatsNZ Algorithm
Charter Risk Matrix, what was the Risk Rating determined to be?
SIX: What external parties were consulted on the implementation of this tool, before and after its
implementation?
SEVEN: If the Care in the Community Data and Digital Advisory Group (CDAG) have produced any
briefings, memos or other advice on the topic of the tool, I would like to request copies of them.
EIGHT: I would like to request a copy of the version history of the tool.
NINE: If there is a work programme for the further development of the tool, I would like to request a
copy of it.”
Eight documents have been identified in scope of your request. Information within scope of this request is
itemised in Appendix 1 of this letter and copies of the documents are enclosed.
TeWhatuOra.govt.nz
83 Molesworth Street, PO Box 5013
Welington New Zealand 6140
The
Risk Score for COVID-19 Call Prioritisation V2.4 is publicly available from:
www.health.govt.nz/system/files/documents/pages/v2.4_call_prioritisation_model_-
_algorithm_information_request_20220720.pdf
The
COVID-19 Risk Score Tool Release 2 Privacy Impact Assessment is available from
www.health.govt.nz/system/files/documents/pages/covid_19_risk_score_tool_release_2_pia.pdf.
I trust the information provided is of assistance. You are advised of your right to also raise any
concerns with the Office of the Ombudsman. Information about how to do this is available at:
www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or by phoning 0800 802 602.
As this information may be of interest to other members of the public, Te Whatu Ora may decide to
proactively release a copy of this response on our website. Al requester data, including your name and
contact details, wil be removed prior to release.
Nāku iti noa, nā
Matt Hannant
Interim Director Outbreak Response
National Public Health Service
Appendix 1: Documents for release
# Date
Title
Decision on release
1 15 February 2022
Memo: Briefing on the proposed
Released in full.
governance of Algorithms in the Ministry
of Health – COVID-19
# Date
Title
Decision on release
2 16 February 2022
Memo: Supporting our COVID-19 affected
communities through a Population-Based
Risk Stratification Tool
3 February 2022
COVID-19 risk calculator
4 7 March 2022
COVID Algorithm Development
5 4 May 2022
Evaluating the Risk Score for Call
Prioritisation (National V1)
6 N/A
COVID-19
Care in the Community Risk Score for Call
Prioritisation (Version 1)
7
Risk Score for Call Prioritisation training
(NCTS)
8
Risk Score for Call Prioritisation training
(CCCM)
