Statement From Debbie Ngarewa-Packer
Every person affected by failed cervical screening notifications must be contacted directly and offered immediate, free screening
Nearly one million failed cervical-screening notifications is not a minor administrative error it is a potential patient safety failure.
We all deserve answers. The Minister must urgently disclose:
- How long this has been occurring
- How many people are overdue for screening or follow-up
- Whether diagnoses were delayed
- The impact on Māori who already experience worse cervical cancer outcomes than non-Māori
Every person affected must be contacted directly and offered immediate, free screening.
Cancer prevention cannot fail because the system failed to notify people!
