4 July
2023
Gabby Anderson
[FYI request #22979 email]
Tēnā koe
Official information request HNZ00021377
I refer to your official information request dated 2 June 2023 regarding CT scans, specifically:
Request:
Rumour has it that there was once an arrangement between Auckland Metro Hospitals and
Auckland Zoo, for patients who were too large for the usual hospital CT scanners. This
unique and creative solution for patient care is fascinating and I'd like to delve a little deeper
into it.
Could you kindly assist me in understanding:
1. The specifics surrounding the Auckland Zoo arrangement, including:
1a. The dates that marked the beginning and conclusion of this arrangement.
1b. The number of patients who benefited from this arrangement during its tenure.
1c. The kind of health and safety protocols that were implemented to safeguard patient well-
being and privacy during these scans at the zoo.
1d. Any policy changes, official reviews, or discussion records leading up to the
discontinuation of this arrangement, assuming it is no longer active.
2. I'm also keen to learn about the current procedures that are in place for patients who are
too large for standard hospital CT scanners:
2a. The specifics of these current procedures, including any partnerships or collaborations in
place.
2b. The number of patients who have been accommodated via these alternative procedures
since the discontinuation of the zoo arrangement.
2c. The health and safety protocols, ethical considerations, and privacy measures in place
for these alternative solutions.
2d. Any challenges encountered in these current procedures and steps taken to mitigate
them.
3. Lastly, if there are any discussions or plans to introduce new or improved procedures to
accommodate such patients in the future, I'd love to learn about them.
Te Toka Tumai Auckland Response
1. The specifics surrounding the Auckland Zoo arrangement, including:
1a. The dates that marked the beginning and conclusion of this arrangement.
1b. The number of patients who benefited from this arrangement during its tenure.
1c. The kind of health and safety protocols that were implemented to safeguard patient
well-being and privacy during these scans at the zoo.
1d. Any policy changes, official reviews, or discussion records leading up to the
discontinuation of this arrangement, assuming it is no longer active.
Te Toka Tumai Auckland | Te Whatu Ora | Health New Zealand is unable to fulfil your
above requests under section 18(e) of the Official Information Act, as the document alleged
to contain the information requested does not exist.
We do not have nor has there ever been an arrangement with Auckland Zoo.
2. I'm also keen to learn about the current procedures that are in place for patients
who are too large for standard hospital CT scanners:
2a. The specifics of these current procedures, including any partnerships or
collaborations in place.
2b. The number of patients who have been accommodated via these alternative
procedures since the discontinuation of the zoo arrangement.
2c. The health and safety protocols, ethical considerations, and privacy measures in
place for these alternative solutions.
2d. Any challenges encountered in these current procedures and steps taken to
mitigate them.
We are refusing the above requests under section 18(e) of the Act as the information does not
exist. Te Toka Tumai Auckland has never had a case where a patient could not be scanned
because of a weight issue.
The current CT scanner is able to take patients up to 300kg. In the very rare situation where a
patient could not be accommodated on the CT scanner, the clinical team and Radiologists would
discuss other suitable imaging options.
3. Lastly, if there are any discussions or plans to introduce new or improved
procedures to accommodate such patients in the future, I'd love to learn about them.
Te Toka Tumai Auckland has no plans to introduce new or improved procedures with regard
to the topic in question.
If you have any questions, you can contact us
at [Health New Zealand request email].
If you are not happy with this response, you have the right to make a complaint to 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
proactively release a copy of this response on our website. All requester data, including your
name and contact details, will be removed prior to release.
Nāku iti noa, nā
Dr Mike Shepherd
Interim District Director | Hospital Specialist Services
Te Toka Tumai Auckland
TeWhatuOra.govt.nz
Te Whatu Ora, PO Box 793,
Wellington 6140, New Zealand
