In the BPAC search bar type 'FIT' to display the correct referral (National Bowel Screening FIT Positive).
It is not only important to refer participants through to the hospital but just as important to do the same referral if the participant wants to be seen privately. This will ensure the participant receives suitable access to care, and means information can be updated and the loop closed knowing the participant has been followed up.
Using the correct eReferral also triggers the $69 (inc GST) payment to the practice.
For more details on the Bowel Screening programme see your region's programme page (Waikato, Lakes, Taranaki, Tairāwhiti).
In May, the National Screening Unit will again focus on promoting bowel screening in primary care to increase Māori and Pacific participation through opportunistic conversations in general practice. Primary care is key to encouraging people to take part in bowel screening and practices are being encouraged to participate in the promotion based on levels of capacity.
The National Bowel Screening Programme (NBSP) went live in Waikato in March 2021 and is now available throughout Aotearoa New Zealand for those 60–74 years and eligible for public funding.
The NBSP eligibility age has been lowered to 50 years for Māori and Pacific peoples. This is a step toward addressing an acknowledged health inequity. A higher proportion of bowel cancer occurs in Māori and Pacific peoples before they reach 60 years (approximately 21 percent compared to 10 percent for non-Māori non-Pacific peoples).
In Te Whatu Ora Waikato and Tairāwhiti, Māori and Pacific peoples are now eligible for the NBSP from 50 years. (This is coming in 2024 to the other districts around Te Manawa Taki).
The NBSP age will remain at 60-74 years for people living in Waikato who do not identify as Māori or Pacifica.
This implementation will inform other Te Whatu Ora districts as they go live indicatively with the age extension from mid-2023.
Please contact Temira Mataroa (NBSP Programme Manager) via email or the National Coordination Centre on 0800 924 432 if you have any queries.
For further information please read the Bowel Screening newsletter and Viewpoint journal article linked in the files below.
The National Bowel Screening Programme will send out a faecal immunochemical test (FIT) kit in the mail every two years to those in the eligible age range.
When it’s the participant’s turn to be screened, they will receive an invitation letter, a consent form, and a free bowel screening kit.
The free test is quick, clean and simple for people to do by themselves at home.
The kit will last up to six months if the seal is unbroken, giving people time to discuss it with friends, family or your doctor and to complete it in their own time.
Once the seal is broken it should be used as soon as possible because it needs to arrive at the laboratory for testing within eight days of being completed. The kit can be sent in the post using the prepaid protective envelope.
Participants will then be sent a letter with the result of the test. If negative, nothing further needs to be done until it's time to do the kit again in two years.
If positive, the participant's GP will be in contact to arrange a free appointment to discuss the result and the next steps.
Most people with a positive test have a pre-cancer rather than a cancer and have a high chance of successful treatment.
Bowel screening is not right for everyone, including those who:
Te Aho o te Kahu reports on cancer outcomes, including bowel cancer, can be viewed via the link below. In summary the bowel cancer screening programme has led to an improvement in survival and higher rates of diagnosis, but there is more work to do to improve outcomes for Māori.
Jo Scott-Jones, Clinical Director
drjo@pinnacle.health.nz
027 475 0488
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