Media Release
08 May 2003
CANCER COMPENSATION SHOULD BE FAIR
New Zealand First women’s affairs spokesperson Barbara Stewart has called on the Government to ensure that there is
adequate compensation for the women affected by the misreading of cervical smears by pathologist Michael Bottrill in the
1990’s.
“It is unacceptable that these women should have to continue their fight for compensation,” said Mrs Stewart.
“They have succeeded in their case against Dr Bottrill and the Ministry of Health and now the Government is being stingy
over the level of payment.
“It is offensive to these women, who have suffered enough because of Dr Bottrill, that they must now argue their case
again to get adequate and just compensation.
“I call on Health Minister Annette King to be fair and to stop dragging this process out anymore than it needs to be.
Pay these women the compensation that they rightly deserve,” said Mrs Stewart.
ENDS