Cartwright Inquiry

The Cartwright Inquiry, officially known as the Cervical Cancer Inquiry, was a significant judicial event in New Zealand that took place from 1987 to 1988. The inquiry investigated allegations of unethical research practices on women with cervical abnormalities at National Women's Hospital in Auckland.

Background

The controversy began with the publication of an article by Sandra Coney and Phillida Bunkle in Metro magazine titled "An Unfortunate Experiment at National Women's." The article alleged that Dr. Herbert Green, a senior obstetrician and gynecologist at the hospital, had conducted a study without proper patient consent, where he withheld conventional treatment from women with pre-cancerous cervical conditions to study the natural progression of the disease.

The Inquiry

The New Zealand government, responding to public outcry, appointed Judge Silvia Cartwright to lead an inquiry into these allegations. The inquiry scrutinized the ethical standards and practices at the National Women's Hospital, focusing on the rights and safety of patients versus the demands of medical research.

Findings

The Cartwright Inquiry found that Dr. Green had indeed conducted unethical research by not adequately informing patients of their diagnosis and available treatment options, effectively denying them the right to informed consent. It also highlighted systemic issues in the hospital's oversight of ethical standards in medical research.

Impact

The findings of the Cartwright Inquiry had a profound impact on medical practice and ethics in New Zealand. It led to the establishment of the Health and Disability Commissioner to ensure patient rights were upheld and that complaints could be independently investigated. The inquiry also spurred significant changes in how patient consent is obtained and emphasized the importance of ethical review processes in medical research.

Legacy

The Cartwright Inquiry remains a pivotal moment in New Zealand's medical history, symbolizing a shift towards greater patient rights and ethical accountability in medicine. It has been studied extensively in discussions of medical ethics, patient rights, and the regulation of medical research.

See also

• Medical ethics
• Patient rights
• Informed consent