Ministry of Health
NZ Government

Media Release
February 9 1999

National Women's Hospital General Manager, Gary Henry said today he welcomed the announcement by the Ministry of Health that it had initiated an inquiry into the provision of chest physiotherapy to very premature babies at the hospital during the period April 1993 to December 1994.

In February 1995 National Women's announced the discovery of a link between cases of previously unexplained brain damage and death in a group of very premature babies who had received chest physiotherapy to clear chest secretions. Thirteen babies were found to have been affected and their families were contacted at that time.

This particular form of physiotherapy which involved tapping the baby's chests with a soft latex cup, had not previously been reported to be associated with brain injury and has not been used at National Women's in very premature babies since this link was noted in 1994.

New Zealand and Australian neonatal units were also notified of the finding at this time.

The Inquiry team will look at the manner in which the chest physiotherapy treatment was provided to the affected babies.

"National Women's staff gave chest physiotherapy treatment in accordance with the protocols, standards and practices that existed at that time in New Zealand and internationally," said Mr Henry. "National Women's staff will be cooperating fully with the Inquiry and are looking forward to the Inquiry 's findings."

General enquiries about the information in this leaflet can be made to National Women's by email or by phoning (09) 630-9943 ext 3195
(between 8am - 4pm)

Callers after 4pm are advised to phone (09) 630-9943 and ask to speak to the Duty Manager.

Media enquiries to
Brenda Saunders
Communications Manager for Auckland Healthcare
ph (09) 630-9952
or mobile 025 769 526

Further information can be obtained from the report by Professor Jane Harding published in:
The Journal of Pediatrics March 1998
Part 1, Volume 132, Number 3
`Chest physiotherapy may be associated with brain damage in extremely premature infants'