Media Release
09 December 2003
Cervical Screening - Still More Work To Be Done
New Zealand First women’s affairs spokesperson Barbara Stewart says there is still a lot of work to be done in the
National Cervical Screening Programme to meet the requirements of the Auditor General’s report.
“The programme needs continued monitoring to ensure that the Committee of Inquiry’s recommendations are met,” said Mrs
Stewart.
”Workforce issues remain, particularly in the recruitment of skilled staff. Two key roles essential for the programme to
work effectively remain unfilled.
“New Zealand women have been let down totally over the last few years by the system so it is absolutely imperative that
independent monitoring of the cervical screening programme continues if they are to have complete confidence in it.
“Women deserve to know that their health and their future are in the hands of professionals who will ensure that the
mistakes of the past will not be repeated and that they can put their trust back into a system that is there to save
lives,” said Mrs Stewart.
ENDS