Work begins on £12m upgrade of endoscopy unit

WORK has begun on modernising the endoscopy unit at Queen's Medical Centre (QMC).

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Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust and NHS England have provided £12 million to expand and the unit and upgrade its facilities.

Endoscopy is a vital diagnostic and therapeutic service which uses an endoscope - a flexible tube with a camera - to examine the inside of the body. Procedures help diagnose and treat gastrointestinal and other conditions.

The new-look unit will increase clinical capacity, adding a third procedure room, enabling a higher number of complex endoscopic procedures to be performed each year.

Patient benefits include reduced waiting times, better privacy and safety, and compliance with national standards for ventilation and room size in endoscopy services.

Contractors Henry Brothers are carrying out the work, with completion scheduled for early next year.