A patient at Dunedin Hospital waiting more than six months for a diagnosis of stage four cancer came as wait times for specialists were 14 times longer than recommended. There were significant delays in the diagnosis of the patient’s colorectal cancer and systemic issues contributed to this, Health and Disability Commissioner Morag McDowell said in her report released yesterday. HNZ Southern chief medical officer Dr David Gow acknowledged waiting times for first specialist assessment were outside expectations. "This is yet another patient and their family facing a terminal diagnosis because of clinically unsafe delays after being declined care." "These improvements include the introduction of dedicated staff to provide additional surgical colorectal clinics, ensuring patients with higher-priority needs can be seen more quickly."

Source: Otago Daily Times February 24, 2026 12:40 UTC