February 4, 2025

In December, 852 MidCentral patients received letters informing them that their regular colonoscopy procedures would be on hold indefinitely. For many, this decision is devastating. As Malcolm Mullholland, a patient advocate affected by the pause, put it,  

“When I received the letter, I felt sick. I felt sick because I knew this decision would lead to people dying.”

Patient Voice Aotearoa chairperson Malcolm Mulholland.

This pause has left hundreds of individuals in limbo, uncertain of when they will be able to access life-saving surveillance colonoscopies. For many, these checks are essential for the early detection of bowel cancer, New Zealand’s second deadliest cancer. 

After public outcry, Te Whatu Ora has announced the resumption of surveillance colonoscopies for a small group of 45 patients at Palmerston North Hospital from February.  

However, this still leaves over 800 patients still waiting for their life-saving procedure. As Bowel Cancer NZ Medical Advisor Prof. Frank Frizelle expressed,  

“With bowel cancer, the earlier you find it, the more likely you are to survive. But also, practically, the cheaper it is to treat... This is part of the cost-cutting or cost restrictions that are coming on. They need to think about the patient at the end of it, because one of the key goals of Te Whatu Ora is to improve patient care, and they’re not even maintaining patient care.“

In response to the ongoing delays, Patient Voice Aotearoa has organised a public meeting in Palmerston North at the Globe Theatre on Tuesday, February 11, at 7pm. The aim is to come up with solutions for those whose colonoscopies have been delayed.  

Bowel Cancer NZ will be there to support this community. Our nurse, Victoria, will be attending to stand in solidarity with those still waiting for their procedures. 

” As the nurse for Bowel Cancer NZ I am very concerned that so many people will potentially be missing out on vital screening and surveillance. While it is confirmed that a small number of those who have waited an excessive amount of time is good and very welcome for those who can access them, it does leave many still waiting and no definite plans in place to rectify the problem.  

I will be coming along to the public meeting to stand with those who are affected by this ‘pause’ in life saving screening, and to join our voice with those still waiting” 

Te Whatu Ora has committed to reviewing waitlists monthly, with an update expected in May. But for those waiting, every delay matters. We urge the government to prioritise patient care and reinstate these vital colonoscopies immediately.