Corporate Services
18 October 2021
Michael Vaughan
Ema
il: [FYI request #16802 email] Dear Michael
YOUR OFFICIAL INFORMATION ACT (1982) REQUEST HBDHB REF: OIA2021129
I refer to your Official Information Act request dated 30 September 2021 where you requested information
from Hawke’s Bay District Health Board (HBDHB). Your questions and HBDHB’s response is provided below:
1.) What is the Covid-19 treatment protocol for hospitalised cases?
The Ministry of Health publishes guidelines for the management of hospitalised adults with COVID-19 -
Interim guidance – Clinical Management of COVID-19 in Hospitalised Adults. The latest document was
issued on 8 October 2021 and is available on the Ministry of Health website.
You can find the document following this link which is the guidance Hawke’s Bay DHB is following:
https://www.health.govt.nz/system/files/documents/pages/interim_guidance_-
_clinical_management_of_covid-19_in_hospitalised_adults_2.pdf
2) Are some DHB's following different treatment protocols from others?
Hawke’s Bay DHB cannot comment on protocols used by other DHB’s. If you require additional
comment in regards to treatment protocols used by other DHB’s, you may wish to contact the Ministry
of Health.
3) Are DHB's free to make decisions about treatments for individuals with Covid-19?
At Hawke’s Bay DHB each patient is managed according to the individual’s presenting condition using
evidence based guidelines to support the approach to care.
4) To what extent are patients able to participate in decision-making about their treatment
programmes?
Hawke’s Bay DHB patients are able to fully participate in the decision making about their treatment as
required by the Health and Disability Commissioner (Code of Health and Disability Consumers’ Rights)
Regulations 1996.
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?
A request by a patient for specific tests or medications would be considered by the treating clinicians
and discussed with the patient in the context of the condition the person presents with.
C H I E F E X E C U T I V E ’ S O F F I C E
Hawke’s Bay District Health Board
Telephone 06 878 8109 Fax 06 878 1648 Email:
[email address]; www.hawkesbay.health.nz
Corporate Office, Cnr Omahu Road and McLeod Street, Private Bag 9014, Hastings 4156, New Zealand
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?
Medical Council of New Zealand guidance does give doctors the right to refuse to provide care for a
patient, except in an emergency. An alternative source of care should be available if this occurs and
usually this would occur through a second opinion.
I trust this information meets your needs. If you would like any further information or clarification please
phone me. If you are not satisfied with this response you may contact the Office of the Ombudsman,
phone 0800 802 602.
Please note that this response, or an edited version of this response, may be published on the Hawke’s Bay
DHB website after your receipt of this response.
Yours sincerely
Chris Ash
Chief Operating Officer
cc:
Ministry of Health via email: [email address]
[email address]
2
