In 1987, Women's Health Action founders Sandra Coney and Phillida Bunkle, published an article called An 'unfortunate experiment' at National Women's in the monthly Metro magazine (Part 1 and Part 2). The article outlined an unethical study at the country's premier women's hospital. The study, started in 1966, involved following women with major cervical abnormalities without definitively treating them. By 1987 many had developed cervical cancer and some had died.

The revelations led to a Committee of Inquiry, named the Cartwright Inquiry after the presiding judge, Judge Dame Silvia Cartwright (New Zealand's Governor General 2001-2006). Her report (1988) was a blueprint for patients' rights in New Zealand and also recommended a National Cervical Screening Programme.