MEDIA RELEASE
EMBARGOED UNTIL 8PM 12 JULY 1999
Hon Wyatt Creech
Minister of Health
12 July 1999
Health Minister Concerned Over Cleaning Malfunction
"It seriously concerns me that hundreds of people in the Canterbury region are faced with blood screening tests because
of a cleaning malfunction with Canterbury Health's endoscopy machine.
"The public expects people working in hospitals to take the care needed to ensure quality and standards in services
provided," Health Minister Wyatt Creech said tonight.
"While my health officials advise me that this step is precautionary and the risks of anyone being infected are, in this
case, very very low, such failures are concerning and unsettling.
"I have spoken this afternoon to the Acting Chair of Canterbury Health and expressed my concern. I have asked Canterbury
Health to ensure there is a proper internal inquiry into the matter.
"The Ministry of Health's Chief Medical Advisor is also working closely with Canterbury Health on this issue to ensure
people get the care, reassurance and any counselling they require.
"An international expert brought in by the Ministry to advise on the situation says the increased risk of infection is
minimal.
"In addition the Ministry of Health is reminding all hospitals to check the quality control processes involved in
disinfection of endoscopes.
"The Ministry has advised me that it is confident that appropriate standards for cleaning of endoscopes were in place in
New Zealand hospitals, and that they were generally well-observed."
The Ministry of Health is contacting all endoscopy units to reinforce the need for good quality control and auditing.
This follows a letter written late last year to the Gastroenterology Society about appropriate standards to control the
risk of transmission of disease through endoscopes.
ENDS