The Department of Corrections has been told to apologise to a woman who sought medical care while incarcerated, after they did not inform her of an abnormal test result until two years later.
The woman sought medical care while incarcerated at the Auckland Region Women's Corrections Facility. Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly
The woman attended a nursing appointment at the Auckland Region Women's Corrections Facility, where she was residing, after reporting blood in her stool.
A decision out today by the deputy health and disability commissioner, found that the medical officer who received the test result booked the woman for the first available clinic appointment, but she was released from the Corrections facility prior to the appointment.
It found that Corrections did not inform the health service of the woman's release.
Nor did they tell the woman the result of her test - or that she should seek medical attention for her symptoms.
The woman has subsequently been diagnosed with advanced colorectal cancer.
Commissioner Dr Vanessa Caldwell said "it is clear Corrections did not provide medical treatment that was 'reasonably necessary' for the woman".
"There was a lack of effective communication between the different teams within Corrections, namely the health service and custodial staff," she said.
Caldwell has recommended that Corrections review and develop their systems.
She also recommended Corrections provide the woman with a written apology.