The unnamed overseas-trained doctor has been found in breach of the code of patients' rights after failing to act for six weeks after receiving the patient's test results. Photo: FileA doctor tested a woman's cervix, but then failed to act on the abnormal lab result until queried by the National Cervical Screening Programme more that six weeks later. Cervical smear testing is done to detect cells that could indicate cancer or potentially pre-cancerous abnormalities. The cervical smear was taken on October 11, 2013. On December 5, 2013 the screening programme asked if the woman's referral for colposcopy - cervical examination with a magnifying instrument - had been made.

Source: Otago Daily Times October 10, 2016 03:11 UTC