New endoscopy unit will check an extra 9,000 patients a year
A new hospital unit which will enable an extra 9,000 Leicestershire and Rutland patients a year to be checked for diseases such as cancer has been officially opened.
Paralympic powerlifter Ali Jawad did the honours for the purpose-built state-of-the-art endoscopy unit at the Leicester General Hospital.
Ali, who was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease at the same hospital back in 2009, cut the ribbon to signify the official opening of the unit, which started being used last month.
The new unit includes six procedure rooms and 20 private pods with en-suite facilities, creating a modern and comfortable environment for both patients and staff.
It will enable University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust (UHL) to meet growing demand for endoscopy services, supporting quicker diagnosis and treatment for thousands more people each year.
After declaring the unit open, Ali commented: “This unit is a game-changer for patients.
"As someone who has lived with Crohn’s for years, I understand how vital it is to get answers quickly.
"It’s fantastic to see such a modern facility that will help people get the care they need more efficiently.
"I’m proud to support something that will make a real difference.”
Alongside the new building, UHL has also introduced a new paperless digital system that will transform the way endoscopy services operate.
The new system streamlines patient journeys, from referral and booking through to procedure and follow-up.
This will consolidate clinical information already held digitally, improving continuity of care, and allowing clinicians to document care in real time using digital devices.
Simon Barton, deputy chief executive at UHL, said: “We know how important an earlier diagnosis is for conditions such as Crohn’s Disease and cancer, which endoscopy procedures help to detect.
"We already provide a wide range of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures to more than 30,000 patients every year and this new facility will give us even more capacity to help patients across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland to be seen sooner in a purpose-built environment.”
Construction began in March 2024 and was delivered by Henry Brothers Construction, whose MD, Ian Taylor, said: "It gives us great pleasure to see this latest healthcare project fully operational and providing valuable care and diagnostic services.”