October 24, 2026 — 2:36pm

The NSW Labor government will expedite endoscopy procedures after a preliminary audit found at least 20,000 overdue tests in the public health system, which could be delaying cancer diagnoses.

The intervention follows discussion with clinicians and patients about endoscopy waiting times, which prompted NSW Health to collect data from across the public system. It has not previously been monitored centrally.

NSW Health Minister Ryan Park says he had heard the concerns of doctors and patients about overdue endoscopy tests. Sitthixay Ditthavong

Preliminary figures show 20,000 endoscopy procedures could be overdue, with final figures still to be validated.

Endoscopy is used to investigate, diagnose and monitor a range of health conditions, including examining symptoms affecting the digestive system and investigating possible bowel disease, including cancer.

Cancer Council NSW figures show that bowel cancer is the second most deadly cancer in the state.

Waiting times for…