A multicentre, benchmarking study of rectal cancer management in provincial New Zealand hospitals.

Aim: The quality of rectal cancer management within New Zealand provincial hospitals is largely unknown. This study was conducted to appraise and benchmark the management of rectal cancer in provincial New Zealand centres as compared to specialist tertiary centres.

Method: Retrospective data was collected for all patients who underwent elective rectal cancer resection in six provincial New Zealand hospitals from January 2012 to December 2013.