It is not yet known how many patients will be involved in the audit of some general practitioners' Dunedin Hospital colonoscopy service referrals.
The audit is to be conducted through the Southern Cancer Network, and follows concerns raised by some GPs in an informal survey organised by South Link Health about access to colonoscopy services in an informal survey organised by South Link Health.
GPs who responded to the survey said about 25 patients with possible bowel cancer symptoms had been denied a colonoscopy but were later diagnosed with the illness.
Health Minister Tony Ryall called for an urgent report from the Otago District Health Board on the matter.
Since then, some patients, who did not appear to be on the GPs' list, have contacted the Otago Daily Times with concerns.
Such patients have been asked to raise their concerns either with their GPs or with board chief executive Brian Rousseau's office.
Mr Rousseau said on Wednesday eight patients had contacted his office, and their details were being followed up.
Board oncologist and clinical director of the Southern Cancer Network Dr Shaun Costello, who has been gathering information for the audit, said he was awaiting final information from South Link Health.
The consent process for patients, whose full clinical records would need to be seen, was also being finalised .
No announcement has been made about who will undertake the audit of the Dunedin Hospital colonoscopy referrals.
