A Cumbrian MP was welcomed for a visit to a hospital’s state-of-the-art unit that opened last year.
John Stevenson, the MP for Carlisle, saw first-hand how patient care is being handled at Cumberland Infirmary’s modular endoscopy unit, which opened in November 2021.
It is designed, constructed and delivered independently by Remedy Healthcare Solutions, who said the unit is supporting the healthcare needs of the local community by tackling endoscopy patient waiting lists and easing pressure on overstretched health services.
They added that the unit has become a crucial part of local NHS plans to tackle the elective care backlog and build resilience across the health service.
Since opening in November 2021, the £1.2million unit has treated over 2,700 patients to help diagnose a range of conditions, including Crohn’s disease and cancer.
Mr Stevenson had a guided tour of the unit, which includes a treatment room and reception area, as well as a preparation room and recovery space.
He said: “I was particularly pleased to see the patients and their needs at the heart of the treatment not just in terms of medical procedures but also with the availability of appointments and in the design of the unit.
“It is good to see the positive impact the unit has had on patient numbers awaiting treatment in Carlisle and the wider area.”
Danny Batten, associate director of operations for surgery, critical care and clinical support at North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Trust said: “The mobile endoscopy has really helped us manage both our waiting lists and the increased demand for the service.
“The unit has enhanced the amount of planned and less urgent procedures we have been able to undertake and also ensured that urgent procedures at both the Cumberland infirmary and the West Cumberland hospital can be carried out in a more timely way.
“This enhanced capacity means that patients are getting diagnosed quicker and can start treatments sooner.
“The unit has been in place around 12 months now and in that time our endoscopy waiting lists has [sic] reduced from 3084 to 775.”
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