What you need to know about bowel screening under the COVID-19 traffic light system

The National Bowel Screening Programme is continuing under the COVID-19 traffic light system with safeguards in place for participants and staff.
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 orange and red, bowel screening colonoscopies for those with a positive bowel screening test result may be delayed. You will be able access bowel screening regardless of your vaccination status.

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.　

Last updated: 3/12/2021