Wellington’s bowel screening programme started six weeks ago. (File photo)
But although the resignations wouldn’t affect the scheme while it was in its early stages, recruiting in the future would be harder as hospitals around the country grappled with a shortage of nurses, Farley said.
The board would focus on recruiting international nurses and would improve systems and processes to boost nurse retention, she said.
“We are committed to bowel screening for our region and to ensuring that there is no cancellation or deferral of patients.”
The board was outsourcing some work for the next three to four months, but external providers were also having trouble with recruitment, said specialist services operations manager Colin Spratt.