Liz Lambert at the “Safe & Effective” Roadshow: Informed consent in NZ’s health system

The “Safe & Effective” Roadshow is set to host a notable figure in New Zealand’s legal and workers’ rights landscape this month.

Liz Lambert, a lawyer and president of the Number 8 Workers Union of New Zealand will be addressing a pressing issue within New Zealand’s healthcare system: informed consent.

Lambert’s talk will focus on a series of high-profile legal cases that underscore the rights of patients to be fully informed before undergoing medical procedures.

In her role as a union leader, Lambert has been a vocal advocate for workers’ rights, often extending her reach to advocate for fair and ethical standards in healthcare.

Her appearance at the “Safe & Effective” Roadshow is expected to draw significant attention from both healthcare professionals and the general public.

During her presentation, Lambert will discuss several pivotal cases that have shaped the landscape of medical consent in New Zealand, emphasising the importance of transparency, patient autonomy, and the ethical responsibilities of healthcare providers. Here are some of the cases Lambert will highlight:

• Hawkins v. Clayton (1988): In this case, the Court of Appeal ruled that a doctor’s failure to disclose the risks associated with a medical procedure violated the patient’s right to informed consent. This decision set a precedent for the duty of medical professionals to fully inform patients of potential risks.
• Smith v. Auckland Hospital Board (1965): Here, the Court found a doctor liable for performing a sterilisation procedure without obtaining proper consent. The ruling underscored the illegality of medical actions taken without explicit patient approval, even if performed with good intentions.
• Attorney-General v. Family Planning Board (1986): This landmark case clarified that patients must be given a complete understanding of the risks and benefits of procedures, including those related to abortion. It established a higher standard of disclosure for sensitive medical procedures.
• Shortland v. Northland Health Ltd (2018): In this more recent case, the High Court found that a hospital had failed its duty of care by neglecting to obtain informed consent for a surgical procedure. This decision reinforced the necessity of thorough patient-provider communication prior to any medical intervention.
• Simpson v. Waitemata District Health Board (2018): The Court of Appeal upheld that a patient’s consent was invalid due to the hospital’s insufficient disclosure of risks associated with surgery, setting an important precedent for valid consent protocols in healthcare settings.

These cases serve as sobering reminders of the critical role that informed consent plays within New Zealand’s healthcare system.

Register for the “Safe & Effective” Roadshow

Registrations for the “Safe & Effective” Roadshow be made online at the Safe & Effective Roadshow website, with events being held during November in Dunedin (9th), Queenstown (11th), Nelson (13th), and Wellington (15th).

Attendees will have the opportunity to engage with experts, hear testimonies, and gain insights into aspects of the pandemic response they feel were downplayed by mainstream media.

Organisers of the event advocate for the need for a compassionate, transparent dialogue about the impact of COVID-19 health policies on New Zealanders’ well-being.

The roadshow will cover a range of topics, from potential connections between vaccine side effects and sudden health issues to testimonials from medical professionals.

With a focus on supporting those seeking clarity and community, the event invites those who have experienced health challenges post-vaccination, as well as advocates for informed health choices, to participate in what organisers describe as “a journey of inquiry, knowledge, and support.”