Endoscopy unit ready for bowel cancer screening

The unit was recently described as among the best in the UK, according to inspectors, and the new screening programme will get underway immediately targeting those aged 60-69.

Strict national standards for quality and safety are demanded and must be accredited by the Joint Advisory Group for gastrointestinal endoscopy. When JAG inspectors visited the endoscopy facilities at Altnagelvin Hospital recently they awarded full accreditation, valid for five years. The unit was only the third in the UK to achieve approval on the initial inspection without deferrals or conditions.

The leader of the accreditation team, Mrs Debbie Johnston, said Altnagelvin could be ranked as one of the best in the UK. She singled out for praise exemplary leadership in both the medical and nursing professions, excellent teamwork across all staff groups and specialties, and the state of the art endoscope decontamination facility. The ethos of staff training, audit and governance across all aspects of the service were also noted.

William Dickey, lead clinician in endoscopy, said: “The successful accreditation reflects the hard work and enthusiasm of a highly motivated endoscopy team which is committed to extending a high quality service to the new bowel screening programme.”

He paid tribute to Daphne Garrett, nursing lead in endoscopy, and Christine Thompson, endoscopy sister, and welcoming the launch of the screening programme, Dr Dickey urged everyone receiving an invitation to avail of it, stressing that screening allowed the early detection and even prevention of bowel cancer and may be life-saving.