Cancer inquiry notes nurses’ reluctance

Press, 23 November 1987, Page 2

Cancer inquiry notes nurses’ reluctance

PA Auckland Judge Silvia‘Cartwright last week suggested that nurses had been “less than brave” in coming forward to give evidence .to‘her cancer inquiry. She -said she was disappointed. •Nurse representatives who gave evidence on behalf of official nursing organisations said their colleagues felt they would be victimised and their career prospects hampered -If 'they spoke out.

Judge Cartwright said she heard from four nurses. Two gave their evidence in .confidence. One made an .anonymous telephone call and the fourth, who .had left the profession, made a public submission. Nurses were .being ’’rather less .than brave" in bringing matters before the inquiry, Judge Cartwright said. If nurses were to be patients’ advo- ■ cates they would have to be .-much braver. She had hoped To hear

l .from -nuraes directly and • was prepared to hear • them 'in confidence if necessary. ; “Really'that hasnlt hap- ■ pened,” she said. ; Carrol Mitchell, repre- ; senting the northern regional office of the - "Nurses’ Association, said ’ nurses had a perception > that they should not cooperate with the Inquiry. s That was after a memorandum by the medical i superintendent of National Women’s Hospital, Dr Gabrielle Colli-

son, that reminded staff of*; their Obligations underthe. Hospitals Act concerning the .confidentiality of* -patient .information.

Dr Collison has told the ■inquiry she did not regard the memorandum as a disincentive for staff to co-operate with the inquiry. IMs Mitchell said she receiveH several telephone calls from nurses after the memorandum. They Interpreted it as being an instruction not to co-operate.

"There is a very general .perception that if nurses speak out they will be somehow victimised dr hampered in their career prospects,” she said.