An unnamed woman and her husband have come forward to notify the recent delay in their bowel screening test results for cancer in North Somerset due to the Royal Mail strikes and post delays. The strikes have been by workers protesting for issues such as dispute over jobs, pay and conditions.

NHS Staff members also are striking including the nurses who have gone on an annual strike concerning the safety and care of patients as stated by Royal Nursing College. This situation has caused a confusion and is leading to delays in test results.

The woman aged 66, who previously had suffered from cancer decided to get the test done again only to get it delayed by one whole month.

In the words of the elderly man, "My wife who has had operations for cancer and was asked to undertake a bowel screening test, which was done and posted on the December 1 as instructed."

"In chasing up today and my wife was advised that the test had only been received today and samples had to be tested within 14 days of the test being taken. She now has to wait the arrival of a new testing kit and an anxious wait for the results after resubmitted. We could understand the postal strike to some degree but the potential negative effects should be considered cared for appropriately!."

NHS Bowel Screening Programme offers screening every two years to both women aged 60 and 70 who are registered with a GP. It states on the website that the results are sent around two weeks after they have received the FIT Kit. 

In the couple's case however the delays went upto for a month and that she will be sent the tests again which meant doing the test all over again which is very worrying and stressing and the reason that the NHS operators have is of the strikes that re taking place in correspondance with Royal Mail recently.