11:35 AM
Former Gisborne pathologist Dr Michael Bottrill points to poor health and deteriorating memory as factors which affected his work in the six years prior to his retirement.
In testimony at the Gisborne Cervical Cancer Inquiry this morning, Dr Bottrill acknowledged his under-reporting of smear tests, but said the extent of his errors came as a complete bombshell to him.
Dr Bottrill told the inquiry he had a coronary artery bypass in 1990 which affected his short-term memory.
He says he tried to be more careful, but his memory was so bad he stopped doing coroner's reports, autopsies and other forensic pathology.
However, Dr Bottrill says he continued doing cytology work.
He produced a 1996 Ministry of Health report, showing his cervical reporting was well within the accepted range for community laboratories.
- IRN
More Herald stories from the Inquiry
Official website of the Inquiry
Bottrill blames misreadings on his poor health
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