A number of changes aimed at improving the quality, safety and effectiveness of the programme took effect from 7 March 2005. The changes resulted from the passing of the Health (National Cervical Screening Programme) Amendment Act (2004). With the passage of the Act, the current section 74A of the Health Act was replaced with a new Part 4A.

A key purpose of the law change was to improve the operation and evaluation of the National Cervical Screening Programme, to ensure its safety and effectiveness for women. The Act sets out objectives for the NCSP and provides for the appointment of experts (called Evaluators) to assess the performance and safety of the programme by ensuring they have access to key information.

Code of Health and Disability Services Consumers' Rights

The Code of Health and Disability Services Consumers' Rights spells out your rights when using any health services. You have a number of rights under the code, including:

• your right to the information you need to make decisions about your health. Information should be given to you in a way that you can understand
• your right to make an informed choice and give informed consent before you receive treatment
• your right to be treated with respect, taking into account your cultural needs and values
• your right to services being provided with reasonable care and skill.

If you want more information about your rights, you can contact the Office of the Health and Disability Commissioner, freephone 0800 11 22 33 or website www.hdc.org.nz.

How do you make a complaint about any part of the programme?

The Code of Health and Disability Services Consumers' Rights allows you to make a complaint in a way that is appropriate to you. You should not be treated unfairly in any way because you have made a complaint. You can ring the National Cervical Screening Programme, freephone 0800 729 729, to find out more about the best options for you. You can contact an advocate from the Office of the Health and Disability Commissioner to help you with your complaint, freephone 0800 11 22 33 or website www.hdc.org.nz.