This little test could save your life
The National Bowel Screening Programme is free for men and women aged 60 to 74 years who are eligible for publicly-funded healthcare. It aims to save lives by finding bowel cancer at an early stage when it can often be successfully treated.
The test is quick, clean and simple to do. You do it by yourself at home.
If you’re eligible to take part, you will be sent:
• an invitation letter
• a consent form
• a free bowel screening test kit, with instructions on how to use it.
This will happen not long after your 60th birthday.
Done it once? Do it again.
Screening is offered every two years, so if you have done a test before and returned a negative result, you will be offered a second test two years after you did the first one if you are still eligible. Your second test is just as important as the first one.
Haven’t quite gotten there yet?
If you received a test kit in the post in the past two years but didn’t complete it, you will be given another chance to take the test. You will be sent a test kit two years after you were sent the first one if you are still eligible.
Worried about your bowel health?
The programme is for people who do not have any symptoms of bowel cancer. It is a preventative programme that finds bowel cancer at an early stage before you may notice any symptoms.
If you are experiencing symptoms, such as a change in your normal bowel movements that continues for several weeks or blood in your bowel motion (poo), it is important to seek advice from a doctor who may refer you for a specialist assessment.
If you are aged 60-74 and experiencing symptoms, don’t wait to receive your test kit in the post – see a doctor as soon as you can. The same applies if you are younger than 60, or older than 74.
Please do not hesitate to raise any questions or concerns about this life-saving test with your family doctor, or with a health professional available on the free helpline: 0800 924 432
Scam Alert: Fake information regarding December Bonuses from MSD
The Ministry of Social Development is reporting that fake information is circulating about new ‘December bonuses’ or ‘benefit increases’
If you get suspicious communication, please contact Netsafe.
Poll: Do you set New Year’s resolutions?
🎉 2026 is almost here!
We’re curious ... how do you welcome it?
Do you set resolutions, follow special traditions, or just go with the flow?
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10.5% Yes! New Year, New Me
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17.9% Yes - but I rarely stick to them
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71.7% Nah - not for me
Further important update to all Neighbourly members
Dear Neighbours,
We wanted to update you with what we have uncovered in regards to the potential Neighbourly data breach which we were alerted to on Thursday January 1.
Over the past few days we have worked to understand whether our members’ data had been accessed without authorisation and, if so, the extent of the breach.
We have now confirmed that there was a breach of some data from our registered users. We are now satisfied that the breach was quickly contained, and we have restored the Neighbourly site and services.
Our investigations have shown that there was unauthorised access of Neighbourly data, which included our registered members’ names, email addresses, GPS coordinates, forum posts and member communications. It did not include passwords but some publicly advertised event and business addresses were included.
Following best practice, we will look to seek a court injunction against any use of the material.
We want to apologise to our members for this occurrence and any concerns it may have caused you over the past few days. We have, of course, addressed the issue that allowed the theft to occur, and we are satisfied that the site is secure for use by all of our members. We will work closely with all our staff to ensure we have the most robust processes in place to prevent it from happening again.
Thank you to our members who contacted us over this period and for the understanding you have shown as we work through the complex issues associated with cyber theft.
Q&A regarding Neighbourly data breach
The Team at Neighbourly
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