Improving National Bowel Screening participation through primary care engagement: a quality improvement report.

Abstract

Background and context: The National Bowel Screening Programme (NBSP) in Aotearoa New Zealand aims to reduce bowel cancer mortality through early detection. Despite this, participation remains lower among Māori and Pacific peoples. In 2023 and 2024, primary care-led campaigns were introduced to support general practices to engage eligible patients in screening discussions.

Assessment of the problem: General practices had varied levels of engagement with reminder systems and resources, and many lacked consistent processes for incorporating screening into routine consultations. To address this, tailored materials and practice support tools were provided.

Results: Campaign participation included a substantial number of New Zealand practices, including engagement of Very Low-Cost Access (VLCA) clinics. Overall, the volume of faecal immunochemical test (FIT) kit requests more than doubled over 2 years; however, return rates remained modest, highlighting the need for additional follow-up strategies.

Strategies for improvement: Future efforts should focus on expanding reminder systems, enhancing practice workflows, and incorporating outreach support to increase kit completion rates.

Lessons learnt: Structured primary care interventions can boost screening uptake, particularly among equity priority groups. Sustained improvements in screening participation will depend on system integration and continued support for practices and communities.