Two Wellington district health boards are investigating reviewing the cases of 52 breast cancer patients who may have got sicker because of a delay in getting a mammogram.
Hutt Valley and Capital and Coast DHBs say the patients waited longer than the usual 60 days from enrolment in the Breast Screen Central (BSC) service, to being offered a mammogram appointment.
The DHBs said they had contacted all 52 patients who may have received incorrect treatment or prognosis because of the waiting times.
About 6000 people waited longer than the standard 60 working days between 2017 and 2021.
Chief executive of the two District Health Boards, Fionnagh Dougan, said only a few of the cases being reviewed were delayed because of Covid-19.
"The factors leading up to this pre-date the Covid-19 pandemic and, upon learning of this matter, we implemented a full and comprehensive review."
"BSC has also cleared the backlog of people by increasing the number of clinics, outsourcing mammography services, and ensuring that those who have waited the longest were booked into available appointments."
Meanwhile, Health NZ has announced a review of the national breast screening programme, which it says is partly in response to the Wellington delays.
Chief executive Margie Apa said the main focus will be ensuring the programme's systems are fit for purpose.
She says the delays for patients in Wellington were part of the reason for the review.
"One impetus for this review is the identification that a number of people in the Wellington region had been waiting longer than the 60 working day target from enrolment to be offered appointment for mammography."
"Additionally, the establishment of interim Health New Zealand is a timely opportunity for a more detailed consideration of this vitally important service to ensure the quality and safety arrangements remain fit for purpose."
RNZ
