About the Cartwright Collective

The Cartwright Collective 

The Collective is a group committed to monitoring implementation of the 1988 Cartwright Inquiry Report Recommendations. Members are also committed to ensuring policy development is based on sound evidence and to the provision of high-quality information to enable consumers to make informed decisions.

Two members were responsible for bringing to light the allegations leading to the Cartwright Inquiry; several were involved in parties to the Inquiry. Some were actively involved in working with the Ministry of Health in establishing the National Cervical Screening programme and the Health and Disability Commission. Others have contributed to the development of the Code of Health Consumers’ Rights and ethics committees.

Two members were responsible for bringing to light the allegations leading to the Cartwright Inquiry; several were involved in parties to the Inquiry.  Some were actively involved in working with the Ministry of Health in establishing the National Cervical Screening Programme. And the Health and Disability Commissioner. Others have contributed to the development of the Code of Health Consumers’ Rights and ethics committees.   Several members are or have been involved in university teaching and research.

In 1988 the Cartwright Report provided a vital blueprint for organised cervical screening in New Zealand.   While recognising the potential benefits of such a programme as “indisputable”, Judge Cartwright also identified some of the major challenges in achieving effective screening. She also highlighted the ethical difference between screening women who have no symptoms of disease and the medical examination of women who seek medical advice for symptoms.

In the early 1990s some members of the Cartwright Collective became actively involved in addressing the challenges of establishing the National Cervical Screening Programme, New Zealand’s first national organised cancer screening programme.  In years to follow, some also contributed to the development of policy relating to breast screening, colorectal screening and prostate screening, using internationally recognised assessment criteria.  All were acutely aware of the fine balance in cancer screening between the potential benefits and the potential risks.

The Cartwright Collective organises public forums to bring together health practitioners, health consumers and policy makers to foster knowledge-sharing and respectful debate. The group also advocates to ensure the recommendations of the Cartwright Inquiry are not diluted and to provide a consumer voice in health care ethics.