NZMA disappointed at lack of Parry inquiry report

The New Zealand Medical Association is extremely disappointed that the Health Select Committee did not report back on its inquiry into Northland obstetrician Dr Graham Parry.

"It is only fair -- to Dr Parry, to the women who gave evidence, and to the wider community -- that the results of the inquiry be made public," said NZMA Chairman Dr John Adams.

"People's lives and well-being were examined during the inquiry, and the Select Committee had a responsibility to those people to report its findings. It had six months after the evidence was heard, which should have been ample time to report back."

With yesterday's dissolution of Parliament, the inquiry is not automatically carried over to the next session of Parliament.

"The NZMA was opposed to the inquiry, believing that it had the potential to interfere with the natural course of justice," Dr Adams said. "But since the Select Committee decided to proceed, it should have completed the job. This leaves all the people involved in limbo."

The NZMA understands that the Select Committee had decided not to focus on individual cases associated with Dr Parry, but look at broader issues concerning the environment in which doctors practise. This may have led to useful recommendations about how the health system could be improved.

The NZMA gave evidence to the Select Committee calling for a culture of teamwork and trust in the health sector rather than blame and paranoia.

ENDS

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