The terms of reference of the Inquiry were contained
in the Minister of Health’s letter of appointment. They directed Ailsa
Duffy QC, Druiscilla Kapu Barrett CNZM and Máire Angela Duggan MD, FRCPC
to conduct an Inquiry into the reading of abnormalities in cervical smears
in the Gisborne region prior to March 1996, taking into account the results
of the reviews of cervical cytology and histology samples carried out
by the Health Funding Authority, on the following terms:
(i) To determine whether there has been an unacceptable
level of under-reporting in consequence of misreading and/or mis-reporting
of abnormalities in cervical smears in the Gisborne region.
(ii) If you determine that there has been an unacceptable
level of under-reporting, to identify the factors that are likely to
have led to that under-reporting.
(iii) If you determine that there has been an unacceptable
level of under-reporting, to satisfy yourselves whether or not this
was an isolated case rather than evidence of a systemic issue for the
National Cervical Screening Programme.
(iv) To identify changes already made to legislation,
to laboratory or other processes or to professional practices to address
the risks of under-reporting of abnormalities in cervical smears.
(v) To identify other changes agreed to be implemented,
either by the Government or by professional organisations, that will
further address any risks of under-reporting of abnormalities in cervical
smears.
(vi) To consider all relevant proposals that could
ameliorate any risks of under-reporting of abnormalities in cervical
smears and identify whether these are covered by 4 or 5 above and whether
further changes are needed.
(vii) To comment on any other issue the Inquiry Team
believes to be of particular relevance.
(viii) To make recommendations, consistent with section
4(a) of the Health and Disability Services Act 1993, as to any further
action the Government or its agencies should consider taking.
