2 November 2001

Gisborne Inquiry Recommendations Progress Report To Be Released At A Public Meeting In Gisborne

Health Minister Annette King will be releasing the Six-Month Summary Report on Progress made in Implementing the Ministerial Inquiry Recommendations at a public meeting in Gisborne on Thursday November 8.

Dr Euphemia McGoogan, Expert Cytopathologist from the UK, who is providing the Minister with an independent assessment of the implementation of the recommendations, will also be addressing the meeting.

The Minister and Dr McGoogan will be accompanied by the Associate Health Minister Tariana Turia, the Director-General of Health Dr Karen Poutasi and officials from the National Screening Unit.

The Report of the Ministerial Inquiry into the Under-Reporting of Cervical Smear Abnormalities in the Gisborne Region was released by Mrs King in Gisborne at a public meeting in April. At the time Mrs King said she would return to Gisborne to provide an update on progress after six months.

PUBLIC MEETING: The public meeting will take place between 11am and 12:45pm at the Cosmopolitan Club (in the Opal Lounge through the Grey Street entrance), 190 Derby Street, Gisborne. This meeting is intended as an opportunity for the women affected by the Inquiry and for the Gisborne people to discuss the progress to date and related issues. At the meeting the Minister will give a presentation on progress followed by an address by Dr McGoogan. Questions will then be taken. The meeting is expected to finish at about 12:45pm and will be followed by light refreshments.

MEDIA CONFERENCE: A media conference will take place at 2pm in an adjoining room at the same venue – the Cosmopolitan Club.

Ends

© Scoop Media