The number of endoscopy procedure rooms at a County Durham Hospital has been doubled from two to four, following work to expand and upgrade facilities. 

The work to increase capacity at Bishop Auckland Hospital means more procedures can be undertaken - improving both patient experience and the quality of care they receive.

Ros Russell, endoscopy manager at County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Endoscopy is increasingly used to great effect both to help diagnose and in some cases monitor a number of conditions, including cancers.

"Our investment in these new facilities and the staff to work in them means we’ll be able to accommodate more patients from across County Durham and Darlington, and beyond.

“Endoscopies involve inserting a long, thin tube with a small camera inside, called an endoscope, into the body, through a natural opening – such as the mouth.

"The clinician can then see any symptoms that may be present, and to what extent, via images projected onto a screen. They’re used to investigate many areas of the body, including bowels, oesophagus, stomach, small intestines and womb.

“Endoscopies are not only tremendously helpful in the diagnostic process, patients only need to be in hospital for a few hours and can then go home and be back to normal quickly. For some endoscopies, results are shared with the patient on the same day.

“We are one of the largest providers of endoscopy in the region and are also pioneering the use of endoscopy techniques in some surgeries.

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"Whilst we tend to undertake these in theatres they could also be performed in the new endoscopy suite at Bishop Auckland Hospital and in our facilities at University Hospital of North Durham and Darlington Memorial Hospital.”

Felicity White, Associate Director of Operations for Surgery, added: “This expansion reflects our commitment to providing the very best quality care and experience by increasing overall endoscopy capacity to deliver timely diagnostics for patients.

"It also reflects our continued investment in Bishop Auckland Hospital and the important role the hospital plays in supporting patients and delivering care and services to our communities across County Durham and Darlington.”