National bowel screening programme roll-out

The NBSP will be rolled out progressively from 2017 and offer bowel screening every two years to eligible people aged 60 to 74 years.

The roll-out will begin with Hutt Valley and Wairarapa District Health Boards (DHBs) in July 2017, with other DHBs following in stages over three years. Bowel screening will continue to be offered to eligible people at Waitemata DHB, which will transition from the pilot to the national bowel screening model at the end of 2017.

It is expected that a national coordination centre will be established by 2018 to manage and send screening invitations and coordinate the processing, analysis and management of completed bowel screening test results.

DHBs will be responsible for managing and delivering bowel screening for its population including delivering colonoscopies. Four bowel screening regional centres will also be established to support clinical leadership, ensure patients are notified of results, and manage quality and equity in their area.

For more information about the NBSP, read the Frequently asked questions and the latest media release.