A woman had a cervical procedure - with no local anaesthetic

A Health and Disability report shows a breach in the care of the woman in her 20s - by a senior gynaecologist and trainee at Auckland's Greenlane Hospital.

The trainee started removing abnormal cells from the cervix, without administering anaesthetic, causing significant pain.

Commissioner Morag McDowell says she's unable to find whether the trainee and supervisor roles were made clear while seeking the patient's consent.

She says Health New Zealand also needs a more empathetic approach, including personal contact during the woman's recovery.