Arotakenga Mātai Whēkau ā-Motu
National Bowel Screening Programme Review
In February 2018 Health Minister Hon. Dr David Clark initiated an independent review of the National Bowel Screening Programme.
In February 2018 Health Minister Dr David Clark initiated an independent review of the National Bowel Screening Programme after it was found some people did not receive invitations for screening during the pilot phase of the programme that ran from 2011 to 2017.
Issues associated with the Bowel Screening Pilot Information Technology System (BSP) and operational processes meant some eligible participants were not invited/re-invited for screening. For some people this may have led to a delay in their bowel cancer diagnosis.
The review set out to consider how well positioned the National Bowel Screening Programme is for successful delivery, the robustness of the invitation process, and how lessons learnt can be applied to ensure a safe and successful roll out of the national programme. It looked at a broad range of factors, including information technology, district health board (DHB) capacity, operational management and clinical matters.
The review was carried out by an expert panel, led by Professor Gregor Coster, with members Dr William Rainger, Dr Mary Seddon, and Professor Graeme Young. The Health Quality & Safety Commission provided project management and secretariat support to the review team.
The review began on 21 March 2018 and the final report was submitted to the Director-General of Health on 7 July 2018.
The final report was released by the Minister of Health on 8 August 2018.
Review team members
Gregor is the inaugural Dean of the Faculty of Health at Victoria University of Wellington, appointed on 1 January 2017 to establish the new faculty including new undergraduate and postgraduate programmes and to advance research and translational activities in health.
He was Professor and Head of Department of General Practice and Primary Health Care at the University of Auckland for 10 years, subsequently becoming Dean of Graduate Studies for the University.
He has chaired two district health boards and been deputy chair of Pharmac, the commercial entity responsible for national purchasing of New Zealand’s pharmaceuticals. He was a board member of the Accident Compensation Corporation and in 2018 retired as Chairman of WorkSafe New Zealand. He is a general practitioner with 40 years of professional experience. He has chaired national organisations including the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners and District Health Boards New Zealand.
Director, Hygieia Consulting Ltd. Experienced public health medicine specialist with a background in health services management. Involved in previous audits or reviews of the Cervical Cancer Screening Programme (2005) and Breast Screening Programme (2012). Foundation President of the New Zealand College of Public Health Medicine (2008 to 2011).
Director, Seddon Healthcare Quality Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand. Dr Seddon graduated from Otago Medical School and holds fellowships in general medicine, public health and medical administration. Her interest in quality improvement started during a Harkness Fellowship at Harvard Medical School and she has worked in this area for the last 15 years. She has been involved in major patient harm reduction programs in medication safety, infection prevention, patient falls and pressure injuries.
She has recently returned to New Zealand after three years in Australia where she was in an executive leadership role for West Moreton Health. Her portfolio included clinical governance, innovation, research and education.
She currently runs her own consulting company but her long-term aim is to work in the NZ health care system.
Professor of Global Gastrointestinal Health, Flinders Centre for Innovation in Cancer, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Australia.
Professor Young has an international reputation, especially in the broad field of colorectal cancer and its prevention and colorectal epithelial biology. He has advised health authorities in Australia, and a number of countries around the world including New Zealand, United Kingdom, Canada, the United States, Netherlands and other countries on aspects of prevention of colorectal cancer.
Professor Gregor Coster – CNZM, FRNZCGP
Gregor is the inaugural Dean of the Faculty of Health at Victoria University of Wellington, appointed on 1 January 2017 to establish the new faculty including new undergraduate and postgraduate programmes and to advance research and translational activities in health.
He was Professor and Head of Department of General Practice and Primary Health Care at the University of Auckland for 10 years, subsequently becoming Dean of Graduate Studies for the University.
He has chaired two district health boards and been deputy chair of Pharmac, the commercial entity responsible for national purchasing of New Zealand’s pharmaceuticals. He was a board member of the Accident Compensation Corporation and in 2018 retired as Chairman of WorkSafe New Zealand. He is a general practitioner with 40 years of professional experience. He has chaired national organisations including the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners and District Health Boards New Zealand.
Dr William Rainger
Director, Hygieia Consulting Ltd. Experienced public health medicine specialist with a background in health services management. Involved in previous audits or reviews of the Cervical Cancer Screening Programme (2005) and Breast Screening Programme (2012). Foundation President of the New Zealand College of Public Health Medicine (2008 to 2011).
Dr Mary Seddon
Director, Seddon Healthcare Quality Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand. Dr Seddon graduated from Otago Medical School and holds fellowships in general medicine, public health and medical administration. Her interest in quality improvement started during a Harkness Fellowship at Harvard Medical School and she has worked in this area for the last 15 years. She has been involved in major patient harm reduction programs in medication safety, infection prevention, patient falls and pressure injuries.
She has recently returned to New Zealand after three years in Australia where she was in an executive leadership role for West Moreton Health. Her portfolio included clinical governance, innovation, research and education.
She currently runs her own consulting company but her long-term aim is to work in the NZ health care system.
Professor Graeme Young AM FTSE FAHMS AGAF, MB, BS (Melb), MD (Melb), FRACP.
Professor of Global Gastrointestinal Health, Flinders Centre for Innovation in Cancer, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Australia.
Professor Young has an international reputation, especially in the broad field of colorectal cancer and its prevention and colorectal epithelial biology. He has advised health authorities in Australia, and a number of countries around the world including New Zealand, United Kingdom, Canada, the United States, Netherlands and other countries on aspects of prevention of colorectal cancer.
Frequently asked questions
The review will consider how well positioned the National Bowel Screening Programme is for successful delivery, the robustness of the invitation process, and how lessons learnt can be applied to ensure a safe and successful roll out of the national programme.
It will consider a broad range of factors, including information technology, DHB capacity, operational management and clinical matters.
The review will not look at evidence for the effectiveness of a population-based bowel screening programme. The benefits and harms of bowel screening at a population level have been shown through clinical evidence and New Zealand-based evaluations of the bowel screening pilot.
More information about the issues around invitations to the bowel screening pilot is available on the National Screening Unit website.
The review team will consider relevant documentation, held by the Ministry of Health and district health boards (DHBs) relating to the pilot and the programme; will interview former and current Ministry and DHB staff; and will talk with representatives of other government agencies, consumers and others as necessary.
The review panel will invite around 40 individuals and organisations to be part of the review process based on questions arising from the documentation review and recommendations from the panel and key stakeholders.
The review panel intends to engage with consumers who have been involved in the screening process through focus groups in the pilot district.
The report will be provided to the acting Director General of Health who will consider the findings. The Ministry of Health will develop an action plan for implementation, as part of the on-going roll out of the National Bowel Screening Programme.
The report will be released by the Minister of Health.
If you would like a link to the report once it is released by the Minister of Health, please contact info@hqsc.govt.nz, with ‘Copy of bowel screening report’ in the subject line.
What is the purpose of the review?
The review will consider how well positioned the National Bowel Screening Programme is for successful delivery, the robustness of the invitation process, and how lessons learnt can be applied to ensure a safe and successful roll out of the national programme.
It will consider a broad range of factors, including information technology, DHB capacity, operational management and clinical matters.
The review will not look at evidence for the effectiveness of a population-based bowel screening programme. The benefits and harms of bowel screening at a population level have been shown through clinical evidence and New Zealand-based evaluations of the bowel screening pilot.
More information about the issues around invitations to the bowel screening pilot is available on the National Screening Unit website.
Who will be included as part of the review?
The review team will consider relevant documentation, held by the Ministry of Health and district health boards (DHBs) relating to the pilot and the programme; will interview former and current Ministry and DHB staff; and will talk with representatives of other government agencies, consumers and others as necessary.
How can I/my organisation be part of the review?
The review panel will invite around 40 individuals and organisations to be part of the review process based on questions arising from the documentation review and recommendations from the panel and key stakeholders.
How are consumers being involved in the review?
The review panel intends to engage with consumers who have been involved in the screening process through focus groups in the pilot district.
What will happen to the report?
The report will be provided to the acting Director General of Health who will consider the findings. The Ministry of Health will develop an action plan for implementation, as part of the on-going roll out of the National Bowel Screening Programme.
The report will be released by the Minister of Health.
Can I get a copy of the report?
If you would like a link to the report once it is released by the Minister of Health, please contact info@hqsc.govt.nz, with ‘Copy of bowel screening report’ in the subject line.
Further information
- Review terms of reference
- Minister’s announcement of the review on the Beehive website
- Information about the review on the National Screening Unit website
Last updated: 16th December, 2021
