A new national programme aims to fast track bowel cancer care and reduce colonoscopy waitlists by up to 30 per cent.

Health New Zealand is launching FIT for Symptomatic, a new pathway designed to improve how patients with bowel symptoms are assessed and prioritised.

FIT, which stands for faecal immunochemical test, is a simple, non-invasive home test that can help identify patients at higher risk of serious conditions, including bowel cancer.

Health NZ said the test would allow clinicians to prioritise higher-risk patients for earlier care, while giving reassurance and clearer next steps to those at lower risk.

Director of Hospital Funding Rachel Haggerty said waiting for answers could be stressful for patients, particularly when symptoms were unclear.

“Being on a waitlist can be stressful, especially when symptoms are unclear. This approach helps patients understand sooner whether further investigation is needed and how urgent their care is.

“It also provides peace of mind for lower-risk patients and clearer next steps,” Haggerty said.

Under the new pathway, FIT will be the first line of investigation for many patients referred by their GP for specialist assessment of bowel symptoms.

Health NZ will send the test to patients to assess their risk. Those with a positive result will proceed to colonoscopy, while those with a negative result can usually be safely managed in primary care.

Some patients may still be referred directly for colonoscopy or to a specialist clinic, depending on the severity of their symptoms.

Haggerty said symptoms alone were not a reliable predictor of bowel cancer.

“FIT gives clinicians a clearer picture of a patient’s risk, supporting faster diagnoses and ensuring those who need urgent investigation are seen sooner while reducing unnecessary invasive procedures.

“This will free up specialist capacity by prioritising those at highest risk, reducing unnecessary referrals and shortening wait times,” she said.

The pathway has been in development for more than two years and forms part of a wider effort to improve access, support earlier detection, and speed up treatment for bowel cancer.

It is the first mandated pathway supported by national health guidelines and will be rolled out from 1 July 2026.

Regional clinical leaders will support implementation to make sure clinicians and districts are ready.

The programme will sit alongside the National Bowel Screening Programme, which offers free testing to people aged 58 to 74 who do not have symptoms.

Eligibility for the screening programme will expand to people aged 56 to 74 from 30 September 2026.

Health NZ said the FIT for Symptomatic pathway also had a strong equity focus, including enhanced patient support, culturally appropriate communication, translated materials and follow-up.