Step Inside the New Purpose-Built Endoscopy Unit at the Royal Gwent Hospital
Friday 1st December 2023
Step inside the brand new Endoscopy Unit at the Royal Gwent Hospital, which opened its doors to patients just a few weeks ago and has already received fantastic feedback from patients and staff alike!
Monday 6th November 2023
We’re delighted to announce that our brand-new, purpose-built Endoscopy Unit has opened its doors to patients today (Monday 6th November 2023) at the Royal Gwent Hospital.
The new unit will provide an expanded range of Endoscopy services to patients in the Gwent area using state-of-the-art equipment and facilities, including four operating theatres; a range of treatment rooms; a spacious recovery area and a dedicated space for relatives.
Formerly located on the third floor of the Royal Gwent Hospital and with just two operating theatres, the need to expand Endoscopy services in the Gwent area was evident, and the hospital’s former birthing unit was chosen as the new home for Endoscopy.
Sarah Wilson, Directorate Manager for Gastroenterology and Endoscopy at Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, said:
“We recognised a fair few years ago that demand on our service was far outstripping our capacity, so we knew we had to do something about it. From there came the initial plans, the grassroots, the business case in 2019, and here we are today opening this four-theatre unit.”
After four years of planning, the former birthing unit was extensively refurbished and the Endoscopy team were finally able to complete the move upstairs to their purpose-built facility.
Endoscopy services play an essential part in investigating suspected cancer and positive screening results, as well as for lifelong conditions, such as inflammatory bowel disease. Offering procedures such as Gastroscopy, Capsules, Colonoscopies and Endoscopic Ultrasounds, they also provide follow up care for people with prior diagnosis and deliver interventional treatment.
The enhanced unit will now offer Endoscopy services 7 days a week, and will significantly improve quality, safety and patient experience by doubling its capacity. The numerous benefits of this service include reducing waiting times and the length of stay for inpatients.
David Challenger, Assistant Directorate Manager for Endoscopy at Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, said:
"It’s been four years’ worth of work to get the unit ready with the directorate team and the nursing team. I think one of the great things about our unit is how our endoscopy workforce are all in one place. From the nurses, to the clinicians, to the administrative team, so that creates a better environment for us to work in and creates a more efficient service for our patients.”
Sarah said:
“This unit has been such a team effort. The staff have all been involved in the design of the unit, the orientation, where they want to see things when we move in, we’ve included them all.
“Our aim was to improve the patient journey, patient quality and patient safety, and ultimately improve the overall patient experience of endoscopy. I’m so proud to be able to offer our patients the service they deserve.”
Patient, Carl, was one of the first through the door on the unit's first day of operation. He said:
"I was treated very well and the procedure was successful. All of the staff were lovely and the facilities were brilliant - they were nice, modern, clean and tidy."
The unit was designed by Architects, BDP, and built by contractors, Lancer Scott.
Congratulations to our endoscopy team on their fantastic new facility!