ML01 COMPETENCE REVIEWS IN NEW ZEALAND AND THE AFTERMATH

The inquiry into allegations concerning the treatment of cervical cancer at National Womens Hospital in 1987 and 1988 was one of the most significant medical controversies of the 20th century in New Zealand. This event brought the legal and medical professions into close contact, and the legal profession has been involved with further developments in the assessment of medical competence. Since the inquiry in 1988 the government in New Zealand has moved to provide “further protection to the community”: The appointment of a Health and Disability Commissioner to act as an advocate for the community and changes in legislation. As a result, the self regulating privilege of the medical profession has been lost. The profession was initially stunned by the outcomes of the National Womens Review, but on the positive side there has been a response by the profession to improve the standards of practice. The department of Continuing Professional Development in the RACS has been a major step forward. Over the next two days the Medico‐Legal Section will examine our response to competence reviews. The changes over the last twenty years have brought about considerable change in our professional status within the community, but we must continue to address those matters which have resulted in a loss of community trust.