Tēnā koe Gregory Soar,

 

Thank you for your email received 20 June 2023, under the Official
Information Act 1982. Your request has been forwarded to the appropriate
officials at National Office to respond. 

 

Ngā manaakitanga,

 

Official and Parliamentary Information Team | Ministerial and Executive
Services

Ministry of Social Development

 

Our Purpose:
We help New Zealanders to help themselves to be safe, strong and
independent
Ko ta mātou he whakamana tangata kia tū haumaru, kia tū kaha, kia tū
motuhake

------------------------------- This email and any attachments may contain
information that is confidential and subject to legal privilege. If you
are not the intended recipient, any use, dissemination, distribution or
duplication of this email and attachments is prohibited. If you have
received this email in error please notify the author immediately and
erase all copies of the email and attachments. The Ministry of Social
Development accepts no responsibility for changes made to this message or
attachments after transmission from the Ministry.
-------------------------------

Kia ora Gregory Soar,

 

On 20 June 2023, you emailed the Ministry of Social Development (the
Ministry) requesting, under the Official Information Act 1982, the
following information:

 

 1. Please provide all information held by and or considered by both MSD &
The Health Advisory teams that determines any cannabis medication to
be an alternative medical treatment.
 2. Please provide all information held by and / or considered by both MSD
& your Health Advisory Experts that determines any cannabis medication
to be a pharmaceutical
 3. Please provide information on all due diligence done by your Health
Advisory Team that leads them to advise any cannabis-based medicine is
“an alternative medical treatment”
 4. Please advise why cannabis-based medicines are being classed as
alternative medical treatments after the issue was previously raised /
advised your Whanganui office by myself more than once.

 

On 22 June and 28 June 2023, you emailed the Ministry with the additional
questions below:

 

 5. Please provide the definition of ALTERNATIVE MEDICAL TREATMENT used by
MSD
 6. Please provide the definition of PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION as list
headings on the website I sent screen shots of run by MSD
 7. How many people have suffered and or died due not able to afford
required cannabis medication since being told?
 8. How many simply did not apply when told / advised that it would need
an ALTERNATIVE MEDICAL TREATMENT application that = difficult path
from first cent of funding (compared at least  $75.10 weekly plus up
to 30% main benefit if a deficiency exists  if conditions met )and
seeing the more difficult funding path from the first cent of funding
just gave up?  How many doctors were too busy to complete the extra
work required above the normal medical expenses form / attesting?
 9. Please provide me a full and complete list of all “allowable costs” as
used in determining rates of payments for all / any clients. A full
comprehensive list thank you.
10. Could you also please advise if any formal complaints processes
existing within MSD for clients, please and any information around
making a formal complaint / the process please? 

 

This email is to advise you that the Ministry has received your requests,
but requires more time to respond to this request. In accordance with
section 15(1) and 15A of the Official Information Act, the Ministry’s
decision will be with you no later than 9 August 2023.

 

The reason for the extension is that consultations necessary to make a
decision on the request are such that a proper response to the request
cannot reasonably be made within the original time limit.

 

You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of
this decision. Information about how to make a complaint is available at
[1]www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or 0800 802 602.

 

If you wish to discuss any aspect of your request with us, including this
decision, please feel free to contact [2][MSD request email]

 

I will respond to you sooner if I am able to.

 

Ngâ mihi,

 

Simon Bennett

 

Official and Parliamentary Information Team   |  Ministerial and
Executive Services

Ministry of Social Development

 

Our Purpose:
We help New Zealanders to be safe, strong and independent
Manaaki Tangata, Manaaki Whânau

 

------------------------------- This email and any attachments may contain
information that is confidential and subject to legal privilege. If you
are not the intended recipient, any use, dissemination, distribution or
duplication of this email and attachments is prohibited. If you have
received this email in error please notify the author immediately and
erase all copies of the email and attachments. The Ministry of Social
Development accepts no responsibility for changes made to this message or
attachments after transmission from the Ministry.
-------------------------------

References

Visible links
1. http://www.ombudsman.parliament.nz/
2. mailto:[MSD request email]

IN-CONFIDENCE

Tçnâ koe Gregory Soar,

 

Please find attached the Ministry’s response to your Official Information
Act request.

 

Ngâ mihi,

 

Official Information team | Ministerial and Executive Services

Ministry of Social Development

 

Our Purpose:
We help New Zealanders to be safe, strong and independent.
Manaaki Tangata, Manaaki Whânau.

 

------------------------------- This email and any attachments may contain
information that is confidential and subject to legal privilege. If you
are not the intended recipient, any use, dissemination, distribution or
duplication of this email and attachments is prohibited. If you have
received this email in error please notify the author immediately and
erase all copies of the email and attachments. The Ministry of Social
Development accepts no responsibility for changes made to this message or
attachments after transmission from the Ministry.
-------------------------------