Media Release

9 November, 2001

PETERS CRITICIZES MINISTER OF HEALTH'S INACTION

“Health Minister Annette King has been woefully inadequate in implementing key recommendations of the Gisborne cervical cancer inquiry,” alleges New Zealand First leader Winston Peters.

“The implications for the women of New Zealand of the failure to complete an ’urgent review’ or audit of all cases of invasive cervical cancer are appalling, Mr. Peters said.

“The Minister’s repetitious claims, that she cannot change the mistakes of the past but that she can take control to ensure they don’t happen again, have been heard too often.

“The first step was to take care of the present by ensuring that the audit is completed and patients are reassured. To do that the Minister should have provided the resources to get the job done.

“Annette King has been the Minister for two years. It is long since time for action. Lives depend on it,” Mr. Peters said.

ENDS

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