The Government has failed to expand bowel screening to the same level as Australia, another broken promise.

“There is no good reason why the Government can’t deliver on its election promise this term,” Labour health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall said.

“Today, Minister of Health Simeon Brown announced changes that would reduce the need for other non-screening colonoscopies by 30-60%. That creates the capacity to expand bowel cancer screening – yet he is still refusing to act.

“The Minister has said ‘access to more colonoscopies’ was stopping him from expanding bowel screening. Plans are in place to achieve that access so why won’t he take action?

“I call on Simeon Brown to announce bowel screening for New Zealanders, at least from age 50 and over will be available next year.

“The Government can extend screening down to the age of 50 without the need for additional workforce, facilities, or colonoscopy capacity.

“The Government must not see this freed up resource as an opportunity to cut funding, instead of an opportunity to prevent cancer and keep an election promise.

“The health system is getting worse under National, particularly because they don’t take opportunities to prevent disease. Expanding bowel screen is a practical step that can be taken right now – and they must,” Ayesha Verrall said.