Hospital cancer cases 'chance'

By MONIQUE DEVEREUX

A cluster of cancer cases in former National Women's Hospital midwives "had most likely arisen by chance" and could not be linked to the workplace.

The hospital began an investigation two years ago after concerns that 11 of its midwives had contracted various cancers. Five of the women died.

Last week the surviving midwives and families of those who had died were sent the findings of the report, which was completed by Auckland District Health Board occupational health consultant Dr Chris Walls.

After quizzing thousands of midwives who worked at the hospital between 1966 and last year Dr Wells found there was no evidence of a connection with the cancer cases and workplace exposure.

The women who died had a variety of cancers - of the bowel, oesophagus, bladder and the neck and jaw.