Hospitals can now give out bowel cancer screening tests
Health New Zealand is launching a nationwide initiative to reduce colonoscopy waitlists prioritising most urgent care
People with bowel cancer symptoms are being promised faster treatment under a new national assessment system.
Health New Zealand is launching a nationwide initiative to reduce colonoscopy waitlists by up to 30% with a test prioritising who needs the most urgent care.
Bowel cancer is the second deadliest cancer in New Zealand, claiming more than 1200 Kiwi lives every year, while early onset bowel cancer is rising rapidly.
Around 350 Kiwis under 50 are diagnosed each year, and a third present with late stage, incurable disease. Bowel Cancer NZ says about three New Zealanders die from bowel cancer every day.
Under this new initiative, GPs will refer symptomatic patients to hospital, which will then send out FIT tests (faecal immunochemical test) to symptomatic patients to measure the amount of blood in their stool, which will then decide their severity for further investigation or specialist care.
Health NZ said the test will enable clinicians to prioritise higher risk patients for earlier care, while giving reassurance to those at lower risk.
This programme has been developed over two years and piloted in some parts of the country.
Health NZ director of hospital funding Rachel Haggerty said it was part of a broader effort to improve access and enable earlier detection and treatment of bowel cancer. “Being on a waitlist can be stressful, especially when symptoms are unclear. This approach helps patients understand sooner whether further investigation is needed and how urgent their care is.
“It also provides peace of mind for lower-risk patients and clearer next steps.”
Health NZ said patients with a positive FIT result will proceed to colonoscopy, while those with a negative result can usually be safely managed in primary care.
Depending on the severity of their symptoms, some patients may still be referred directly to colonoscopy or a specialist clinic.
Previously, a GP would refer to an outpatient specialist, who would do an initial assessment, and determine the urgency based on the referral from the GP, and then the person with symptoms be put on a wait list accordingly.
“Symptoms alone are not a reliable predictor of bowel cancer. FIT gives clinicians a clearer picture of a patient’s risk, supporting faster diagnoses and ensuring those who need urgent investigation are seen sooner while reducing unnecessary invasive procedures,” Haggerty said.
“This will free up specialist capacity by prioritising those at highest risk, reducing unnecessary referrals and shortening wait times.”
It is the first mandated pathway supported by national health guidelines.
The change was rolled out on July 1. Bowel cancer testing is already available under the National Screening Programme, which offers free testing to people aged 58 to 74 without symptoms. Eligibility will expand to ages 56 to 74 from September 30.
Others who have been unable to get help through the GP or the free screening programme have turned to self-funded tests and follow up treatment to get help.