A doctor has been made to apologise after sending a patient an anti-vaccination document while the patient was isolating with Covid-19.
The incident was detailed in a report released today by the Health and Disability Commissioner (HDC) Morag McDowell.
McDowell said the woman (Ms A) was isolating at home with her two children in November 2021 when she received a phone call from the doctor (Dr B).
"Ms A told HDC that Dr B was kind when talking to her, and asked about her symptoms, and spoke to her about ‘getting zinc, Vitamin D and C plus some antibiotics’.
"Dr B also asked Ms A for her email address and said that she would send some further information on the extra medication and advised her to contact her GP."
McDowell said following the call, Dr B emailed Ms A, attaching a document called "Guide to COVID Early Treatment".
The email said: "‘Please find attached a COVID treatment guideline p15. Please talk to your family doctor and see if they think it would be appropriate for you."
Ms A told the HDC she was worried about the doctor contacting members of the Pacific community.
"‘This is scary to think this information has been sent out to some of the most vulnerable people who SHOULD be getting vaccinated to fight off this virus," she told the HDC.
McDowell said on the same day Dr B sent the document, Ms A complained to a number of organisations, including the HDC, the Ministry of Health and a media outlet.
In response, Dr B sent Ms A letter and apologised for any "unintended distress".
The letter read: "I have been involved in talking to the Pacific community about encouraging vaccination and addressing their concerns about it (after-hours in my personal time). I have never discouraged anyone from getting the covid-19 vaccination. I am fully vaccinated.
"I believe you are not aware of the consequences of your complaint as I regard it as highly defamatory. Your complaint suggests that I am spreading the antivaccination message. This is completely FALSE.
"Without confirming your false beliefs about me, you have sent your complaint to the media, New Zealand Medical Council, Covid-19 response team, Dr Ashley Bloomfield and my managers which has serious consequences.
"I will need to advise all the recipients that the information provided is false. Your complaint not only affects me but my immediate and wider family."
At the end of the email, Dr B also said "This email is 'private and confidential and not for dissemination'."
McDowell said Dr B was found in breach of Right 4(2) of the Code, "which gives all consumers the right to have services provided that comply with professional, legal, and ethical standards".
"Ultimately, I consider the doctor irresponsibly shared anti-vaccination misinformation when she sent the woman the Covid-19 document. In my view, this amounts to a failure to comply with the MCNZ guidance statement."
McDowell also made a number of recommendations, including that the doctor provide an apology to the woman, complete HDC’s online training modules on the Code and attend training on communication and professional standards.
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