About Women's Health Action

Consumer Rights

• Consumer Rights

  Every consumer of health and disability services in Aotearoa New Zealand has a set of rights protected under law. New Zealand has led the world in giving health and disability services consumer rights the force of law. Read more »

• Consumer Representation

  The involvement of consumers at all levels of health policy decision making is now an accepted practice in the New Zealand health sector and has been part of the move towards patient-centred health care. Read more »

• The Cartwright Inquiry

  The Cartwright Inquiry (1987 – 1988) was a watershed moment in patient rights, not only in New Zealand, but globally. The government ordered inquiry into unethical research practices related to the treatment of cervical cancer at National Women’s Hospital was instigated by Women’s Health Action (formerly Fertility Action) and was a major challenge to medical dominance at the time. Read more »