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Whanganui Hospital is unaffected by the delays in surveillance colonoscopies despite a halt at neighbouring Hospital concerning advocates.

Surveillance colonoscopies are performed on patients who have a higher risk of developing bowel cancer due to their personal medical history or family medical history, but do not currently have symptoms.

Health New Zealand (HNZ) told MidCentral patients last month surveillance colonoscopies would be on hold due to capacity issues.

MidCental currently has 852 patients on the surveillance waiting list, who will be booked in priority order once there is room in the service.

In a statement, HNZ said they needed to prioritise acute referrals.

“We understand that this could be distressing for our patients and recognise they will have concerns about what this might mean for them in terms of early prevention.”

In response to questions from the Chronicle, HNZ clarified that there were no changes to the surveillance colonoscopy service in .

Bowel Cancer NZ medical advisor Professor Frank Frizelle said it appeared short-staffing at Palmerston North Hospital had led to the pause on surveillance colonoscopies.

He said it was “not a sensible solution” and nearby regional hospitals could likely provide the locum staff cover for Palmerston North Hospital to continue the service.

“You can never catch up [on the waitlist] because the demand is so high,” Frizelle said.

“We’re supposed to be removing this variation between places, and postcode variation for patients ... but this is just another example.”

HNZ group director operations MidCentral Sarah Fenwick said locum resource was in place, however, cover was still being sought for further unexpected leave and resignations.

“We are committed to working towards a solution for the management of the increased demand for the service.

“Any person with any symptoms is encouraged to attend their GP to ensure timely access to service provision.”

Cancer Society Central Districts chief executive Debra Elgar said the Cancer Society was hugely concerned about the action taken by HNZ, and that it was “literally putting people’s lives at risk”.

“This is about people who are already known to be at higher risk of developing bowel cancers and to cease a regular testing programme means they will potentially fall through the cracks.

“Some of these people may elect private colonoscopy, but that is not an affordable option for everyone so there will be some who will be just waiting for symptoms to develop.”

HNZ said they were actively recruiting to fill workforce vacancies and had taken several actions including the provision of additional weekly and weekend clinic sessions, some private outsourcing and locum gastroenterologist support.

Meanwhile, Frizelle said it was a significant decision that would impact a group of vulnerable people.

“If you’ve been told you’ve got an increased risk of bowel cancer ... it really plays with you mentally, and now the only access they can get is through the private sector which many people are not in the position to do.”

Elgar said that it was well-known that screening and early detection of cancers would have a much better outcome.

“We also know that it is less costly to treat at an early stage than any late stage cancer treatment so this does not seem to make good robust financial sense.

“A shortfall in staffing resources must not become the reason that our people cannot access adequate oversight of their known bowel cancer risk.”

Warning symptoms of bowel cancer

Frizelle said patients should be proactive in visiting their healthcare provider if they observed any of the warning signs or symptoms of bowel cancer.

• In most people, and particularly younger people, the most common symptom of bowel cancer is rectal bleeding.
• Change in bowel habit: a loosening of the faeces and urgency to go to the toilet.
• Cluster bowel motions: abnormal stool habits such as needing to go two or three times to empty out.
• Weight loss
• Fatigue
• Anemia or iron deficiency
• Abdominal pain

Eva de Jong is a reporter for the Whanganui Chronicle covering health stories and general news. She began as a reporter in 2023.