MEDIA STATEMENT - 7 SEPTEMBER 2012
Report of the New Zealand Ministry of Health National Panel to Review Breast Biopsy Errors
Dr Richard Steele, the New Zealand Vice-President of the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia (RCPA):
“Following the release of the Report of the National Panel to Review Breast Biopsy Errors, the RCPA welcomes the
report’s recommendations. The RCPA has had a long standing advocacy for quality in pathology and supports the
recommendations to review processes in laboratories for incident prevention, detection and monitoring in order to
minimise the risk of errors.”
“It is also important to note that The Panel considers the overall quality processes in New Zealand laboratories are of
a high standard. The report’s recommendation for improvement is a positive step to ensure the patient’s continued care
is always paramount.”
“The RCPA will be working with the New Zealand Ministry of Health and the Laboratory Roundtable to examine the issues
and implement the recommendations. Some of these go beyond the individual laboratories to the overall organisation and
funding of pathology in New Zealand.”
ENDS
About the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia:
The RCPA is the leading organisation representing pathologists in Australasia. Its mission is to train and support
pathologists and to improve the use of pathology testing to achieve better healthcare. For more information please
visit: http://www.rcpa.edu.au/Publications