Two DHBs have been criticised after a man's spreading liver cancer wasn't identified

The man in his 80s was put on the waiting list for surgery and an urgent CT scan, but an urgent tag wasn't added.

Machine failures also delayed the scan, which was only reviewed on the morning of his surgery by the surgeon, who failed to identify small lung nodules, indicating the cancer had spread.

Deputy Health and Disability Commissioner Deborah James has found the operating DHB breached the Code of Health and Disability Services Consumers' Rights.

She recommends both DHBs apologise to the man's family.