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GPs’ concerns some patients are being denied access to colonoscopy services

Health minister Tony Ryall is acting quickly on Otago GPs’ concerns some patients are being denied access to colonoscopy services, some of whom have gone on to develop bowel cancer and in some cases died.

Mr Ryall has ordered Otago DHB to investigate the concerns raised by doctors in an informal survey conducted by South Link Health (SLH).

SLH executive director Murray Tilyard says in response to increasing concerns among GPs about access to Otago DHB colonoscopy services, he instigated a simple survey among GPs.

He found a significant number of patients, with what appeared to be signs and or symptoms consistent with a potential diagnosis of colonic cancer, were refused a colonoscopy and subsequently found to have bowel cancer.

Forty-seven cases of concern were reported to SLH and in 36 cases patients were declined a colonoscopy. Five of these patients have died.

GPs have serious concerns:
Professor Tilyard sent a letter, including the results from his survey, to DHB chief executive Brian Rousseau and Otago GPs last week.

“Based on the information available to me, it appears we do have a significant issue with access to colonoscopies for patients with possible bowel cancer, with a number of them having poor outcomes (ie, premature death and/or morbidity) because of late diagnosis,” the letter said.

“General practice regards the issue of access to colonoscopy in Otago as a serious concern which appears to potentially be putting patients at risk.”

DHB initiates review:

Mr Rousseau said last night no previous concerns had been raised about the colonoscopy service.

He is seeking the patients’ NHI numbers via SLH to progress a review and Professor Tilyard says this request went to affected practices last week.

In the meantime, Mr Rousseau says the DHB has taken an initial look at the service “to see if it is up to speed – and it is”.

Screening rules altered two years ago:

The DHB altered its rules about routine screening of people with close family members who have had bowel cancer in September 2007 because it could not meet the demand for diagnostic tests.

Source: New Zealand Doctor Online

You can discuss more about Gastroenterology & Endoscopy and related topics in our Gastroenterology & Endoscopy Group.