Dear Health New Zealand,

The health and disability commissioner on 9th May 2024 wrote to the CEO to raise six common issues of concern about the diagnosis and care of a number of patients with this condition. The commissioner raised that the requirement on health professionals under the code of rights that people are provided with information about the risks, benefits and costs of each treatment option including options that are not publicly funded, and this continues to not be met.

I request a copy of any response made to the commissioners letter, and whether or not a response has been made, copies of all supporting information and briefings held by health New Zealand relating to these issues that could inform or could have informed a response.

Along with this please provide any information or correspondence in the period 1st July 2022 to 9th May 2024 that is pertinent to the issues raised including but not limited to assessment of the evidence for efficacy, clinical or cost effectiveness of treatments undertaken globally for this group of conditions and decisions or policy informed by such assessments or judgments.

Thank you for your help on this.

Yours faithfully,

Jacqui Hale