What you need to know about bowel screening & COVID-19

The National Bowel Screening Programme is continuing under the COVID-19 traffic light system and under all three phases of the Government’s Omicron response plan.

You can still expect to receive your invitation to take part in bowel screening at green, orange and red.

You should return your completed screening test as soon as possible and it will be processed.

If your test result is negative, you will get a letter. If it’s positive, you will be contacted by phone.

If you have received a positive result and further investigation is recommended, additional information will be provided by your DHB.  At phases 2 and 3, bowel screening colonoscopies for those with a positive bowel screening test result may be delayed, but this will vary region by region and you will be contacted.

If you are experiencing possible symptoms of bowel cancer, such as a change in your normal bowel habit that continues for several weeks or blood in your bowel motion (poo), it is important to seek advice from your family doctor.

If you need more information, or need help in another language, free phone 0800 924 432  or email info@bowelscreening.health.nz

Last updated: 23/02/2022