Sharing of NHI and medical data

David Burgess made this Official Information request to Ministry of Health

The request was successful.

From: David Burgess

Dear Ministry of Health,

This article in the media claims researchers at Otago university matched NHI numbers against individuals details.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/8...

My questions are :

(1) What personal information was available to the researchers ?

(2) What access to the NHI database did the researchers have ?

(3) Other than clinicians actually dealing with a patient who has access to the NHI database ?

(4) Were the individuals that were the subject of the research asked to provide informed consent before their personal information was given to researchers ?

(5) How is usage of the NHI database and the associated medical files managed, tracked and audited ?

Thank you,

Yours faithfully,

David Burgess

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Ministry of Health

Hello

This email is to acknowledge receipt of your enquiry to our customer service team.

A response to your enquiry will be provided to you within 10 business days. If your enquiry is urgent, please contact us on 0800 855 066.

Please note our business hours are Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm.

Kind regards
Customer Service Representative
National Contact Centre
Ministry of Health

In response to:

Official Information Act request - Sharing of NHI and medical data

David Burgess
to:
OIA requests at MOH
10/04/2013 01:14 p.m.
Show Details

Dear Ministry of Health,

This article in the media claims researchers at Otago university
matched NHI numbers against individuals details.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/8...

My questions are :

(1) What personal information was available to the researchers ?

(2) What access to the NHI database did the researchers have ?

(3) Other than clinicians actually dealing with a patient who has
access to the NHI database ?

(4) Were the individuals that were the subject of the research
asked to provide informed consent before their personal information
was given to researchers ?

(5) How is usage of the NHI database and the associated medical
files managed, tracked and audited ?

Thank you,

Yours faithfully,

David Burgess

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Ministry of Health

Dear Mr Burgess

Thank you for your request for official information, received by the
Ministry of Health on 10 April 2013.

Your request has been received and logged.  As required under the Official
Information Act 1982, the Ministry will respond to your request within 20
working days.  You should receive a response on or before 9 May 2013.

If a large amount of information has been requested or if the Ministry
needs to consult in order to make a decision, we may need to extend this
date (this is provided for in Section 15A of the Act).  We will advise you
if such an extension is necessary.

The Ministry's reference number for your request is: H201301328.

Yours sincerely
 
Government Relations
Corporate Services
Ministry of Health
[1]mailto:[email address]
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Ministry of Health


Attachment OIA H201301328 Mr Burgess.pdf
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Dear Mr Burgess

Thank you for your email of 10 April 2013 requesting official information
on the release of personal information from the National Health Index
(NHI) database.

We are pleased to provide you with the information as requested.        

Any queries please contact Analytical Services by phone (04) 496-2000, fax
(04) 816-2898 or email [email address].

Kind regards,
Mary Kearns

Mary Kearns
Group Administrator
Classification and Terminology
National Collections and Reporting
Information Group
National Health Board
Ministry of Health
DDI: 04 816 2830
[mobile number]

[1]http://www.health.govt.nz
[2]mailto:[email address]

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Statement of confidentiality: This e-mail message and any accompanying
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legal privilege.
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distribute or copy this message or attachments.
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immediately and delete this message.
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