The NZAGS offices L3- 8 Kent Terrace, Wellington has the following COVID policy. You must be vaccinated to enter the NZAGS offices, and proof of vaccine passport will be required. Here is our Covid Policy
Statement Regarding NZ Bowel Cancer Screening Programme
Statement regarding the New Zealand Bowel Screening Programme New Zealand has one of the highest rates of colorectal (bowel) cancer in the world, with approximately 3200 new cases a year and over 1200 deaths from the disease. The NZ Bowel Screening Programme (NZBSP) has undertaken a pilot study in Waitemata in Auckland from 2012 to 2017 to gauge the effectiveness of a screening test which detects traces of blood in faeces (bowel motions), and is called the Faecal Immunochemical Test (FIT). If traces of blood are detected, the patient is referred on for a colonoscopy (camera test of the bowel). There is clear evidence that screening of this type reduces death from bowel cancer (Cochrane Library, 2007). The Waitemata pilot study has demonstrated findings indicating an expected similar reduction in bowel cancer deaths.
Position Statement by Steven Kelly, General Surgeon, Christchurch on behalf of the Executive, New Zealand Association of General Surgeons (NZAGS)
There has been much controversy in the media recently regarding transvaginal mesh prolapse repair and its potential associated risks of infection, erosion and chronic pain. 1 Unfortunately, the media have portrayed the outcomes of this one gynaecological procedure to include all surgical use of mesh for hernia repair. It has caused unnecessary widespread patient stress and anxiety throughout New Zealand.
