Statement regarding Colonscopy Services
NZSG welcomes the $4M boost to colonoscopy services announced by Hon Dr Jonathan Coleman, Minister of Health. Colonoscopy is a keystone to preventing colorectal mortality. It is hoped that this announcement heralds the beginning of a sustainable budget for the colonoscopy service. The NZSG’s preference is for a regular sustainable allocation of budget for this service, as opposed to intermittent “top up” funding. Adequate regular funding for the service would better enable New Zealand public endoscopy departments to recruit staff and acquire equipment necessary to manage the expanding colonoscopy workload mandated by the bowel cancer screening project.