A man has died - after doctors repeatedly missed opportunities to detect his cancer

Mr A was referred to a lower North Island public hospital in 2016 - at the age of 39.

Open Justice reports he had surgery to remove haemorrhoids - but three years later had ongoing abdominal pain and diarrhoea.

It wasn't followed up, and in 2021, he was diagnosed with advanced rectal cancer - and died last year.

Deputy Health and Disability Commissioner, Vanessa Caldwell, says the care provided by Health New Zealand, contributed to the delayed diagnosis.