There is a sense of frustration that the Government's not moving quickly enough on bowel cancer screening.

Bowel Cancer New Zealand wants all people in their fifties to be screened by 2025, and for Maori in the age group to be screened immediately.

Twelve percent of New Zealanders are diagnosed with bowel cancer every year between age 50 and 59.

Spokesperson Mary Bradley told Kate Hawkesby they've been calling on DHBs to increase workforce capacity for screening since 2010.

"For them to now say that's why they can't do it is unacceptable - people are dying because they've dropped the ball on this."

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