22844 (2025). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health

22844 (2025). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health: Was the US-based doctor who assessed the stroke patient at Kaitāia Hospital authorised to make discharge decisions without oversight from a New Zealand-based clinician?

Hon Simeon Brown: As the Member will be aware, in May 2023, under the previous government, Health New Zealand signed a formal contract with a digital health provider to deliver clinical support across various service settings in Northland hospitals. I am advised that doctors working for Health New Zealand via a digital health provider are able to make clinical decisions on the diagnosis and treatment of patients, including discharge decisions. As I said in Written Parliamentary Question 22843 (2025), I am further advised that the doctor mentioned in recent media is a New Zealand trained and registered medical practitioner. I also refer the Member to Written Parliamentary Question 22842 (2025).