Every year South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust carries out 14,000 endoscopy tests – examinations which look inside the body using a long, thin tube with a small camera inside called an endoscope.
Patients have been using the service since November, but it was officially opened today (Wednesday 6 March) by the trust’s new chief executive officer Stacey Hunter and Redcar patient Timandra Lowe.
Nicola Plews, Redcar endoscopy unit manager said: “We’ve already welcomed patients from all over the Redcar area and from as far away as Whitby and they think it’s great. It’s a fantastic facility for people to come to with free parking and it’s staffed by experienced clinicians who rotate from our James Cook site.”
Specialist minimally invasive tests
A range of specialist minimally invasive tests are now also provided exclusively from the Redcar site including:
- Lower GI capsule – patients swallow a pill-sized camera to check abnormalities
- Capsule sponge – patients swallow a small capsule which is attached to a string and dissolves to reveal a tiny sponge that collects cells for examination
Vicki Fawcett, clinical endoscopist said “We are now performing 47 capsule endoscopies and 13 capsule sponge examinations a month at Redcar.
"A lot of the patients we see can be quite anxious, but these community-based clinics are in a much calmer environment which really helps us put people at ease.”
Arvind Ramadas, clinical lead for endoscopy added: “It’s brilliant to be providing a range of endoscopy services from this community hospital site including our flagship minimally invasive procedures.
"The new service provides more choice and a relaxing environment for patients, saves people from the Redcar area from having to travel and helps us reduce our waiting lists – it’s great news for everyone!”