National's Northland MP John Carter says he is pleased Alliance MP Phillida Bunkle has today joined him in his calls for
the Minister of Health to order a proper investigation of the Graham Parry case.
"I have contacted the Minister of Health on several occasions over recent months, both verbally and in writing, asking
her to ensure the circumstances involving Dr Parry's patients are fully examined. I was advised that the Minister would
consider this once the court's verdict had been reached in the Colleen Poutsma case. That happened yesterday, and I now
once again call on the Minister to take action.
"I am astounded at the logic by which the judge arrived at his conclusion that the case of the late Colleen Poutsma was
an isolated incident which related to 'one examination with one patient only'. When a judge says something like that you
start wondering what planet he lives on. There has been significant public comment about other cases, and I have been in
regular contact myself with a number of women and their families who have suffered terribly after treatment by Dr Parry.
"It is important that all of the cases involving alleged suffering at the hands of Dr Parry are properly investigated
and documented. Today I call on Annette King to establish a subcommittee of the Health Select Committee to hear evidence
from those families which have been affected.
"The outstanding complaints against Dr Parry must now be considered by the appropriate authorities. At the same time
Parliament has a duty to ensure that the wider questions of accountability and systems failures can be considered to see
if there are any changes which can be instituted to reduce the risk of similar tragic incidents in future," John Carter
said.
Ends