To:
The Chief Executive
Te Whatu Ora – Health New Zealand
[email address]

From:
Nigel Gray

Date:
18 May 2026

Request under the Official Information Act 1982
I am requesting the following information under the Official Information Act 1982.

This request concerns the training, education, and competency requirements provided to medical practitioners and other clinical staff regarding:

drug‑induced nutrient depletion,

nutrient monitoring for patients on long‑term medication,

nutritional support for patients ceasing medication (including sudden cessation or “cold‑turkey” withdrawal), and

any related clinical guidance, protocols, or educational expectations.

This request is specific, document‑based, and seeks clarity on the training provided to ensure clinicians can meet their professional obligations under the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003, the Medical Council of New Zealand’s Good Medical Practice, and the Health and Disability Code of Rights.

I request the following information:
1. Training materials
Please provide all training materials, including but not limited to:

presentations

manuals

e‑learning modules

competency documents

internal guidelines

clinical education packages

orientation materials

continuing professional development resources

that relate to:

drug‑induced nutrient depletion,

nutrient monitoring for medicated patients,

nutritional rehabilitation during or after medication withdrawal,

metabolic or micronutrient support for patients ceasing medication.

If no such training materials exist, please confirm this explicitly.

2. National or regional training programmes
Please provide:

the names of any national or regional training programmes,

course descriptions,

learning outcomes,

assessment requirements,

attendance expectations,

that include the above topics.

If no such programmes exist, please confirm this explicitly.

3. Clinical competency expectations
Please provide any documents that specify:

expected clinician competencies,

required knowledge,

required skills,

required monitoring practices,

relating to nutrient depletion or nutritional support for medicated or withdrawing patients.

If no such competency expectations exist, please confirm this explicitly.

4. Internal correspondence or policy statements
Please provide any internal statements, memos, or correspondence that:

discuss whether such training should exist,

confirm that it does not exist,

explain why it does not exist, or

indicate that clinicians are expected to manage these issues without formal training.

If no such correspondence exists, please confirm this explicitly.

5. Future planning
Please provide any documents relating to:

planned development of such training,

consideration of nutrient‑depletion protocols,

consideration of withdrawal‑nutrition guidelines,

any working groups or committees discussing these issues.

If no such planning exists, please confirm this explicitly.

Format
I request that the information be provided in electronic form.

Withholding grounds
If any information is withheld, please specify:

the exact section of the OIA relied upon,

the reason it applies, and

whether the grounds are considered partial or full.

Administrative note
This request is intentionally narrow and document‑focused.
If any part of the request is unclear, I am happy to refine it — but please note that a response of “no documents exist” is a valid and complete answer.

Yours faithfully,

Nigel Gray