Notes on mental health withheld

The Auckland District Health Board is refusing to release clinical notes to a mental-health patient and has told the woman to go to the Privacy Commission if she wants them.

The woman, who attempted suicide after an alleged rape at the Auckland Hospital mental-health unit, wanted the notes to help with her appeal after her University of Auckland enrolment was terminated.

She was told by the vice-chancellor it was terminated because she “did not promptly inform the International Office” about her state of mental health after her suicide attempt.

The student, who cannot be named, is appealing the termination. She wants the clinical notes because the university claimed it had cancelled her enrolment on the advice of her medical team.

A health board spokeswoman said there were “potential consequences for the health and safety of someone with a mental illness if their experience is publicised, which are recognised in the privacy legislation. Our obligation is to the safety and wellbeing of our patients and we take this extremely seriously.

“In this case, based on the privacy legislation, it was appropriate that we decline to release this person’s clinical notes but we have suggested they discuss this with the Privacy Commissioner.”

The student said the refusal was adding to her distress. She was making a formal complaint against the health board and also would take the matter to the Privacy Commission.

The international student came to New Zealand in 2015 from China. She was studying for a double degree in health science and science.

“We really want to know what exactly are in the records,” she said.

She has also filed an appeal with the university against her termination after finding she would not be able to get her credits transferred to universities in Australia.

“My primary goal is to continue to study in Auckland,” she said.

Meanwhile, the university has sent a note to its staff defending its action.

It pointed to reports that it had “inappropriately and unkindly” terminated the enrolment.

“Despite the speculation on social media, the student’s enrolment was terminated because of explicit advice from her own medical team that she was at high risk if she continued to study in New Zealand,” the note said.