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A new Endoscopy Unit at KGH was officially opened by Dr James Reilly TD, Minister for Health, today (19 May).
The new Unit is a modern, patient-centred build with two procedures rooms, a first stage recovery room and a discharge lounge and replaces the existing one room facility.
An endoscopy is a diagnostic procedure whereby a narrow tube with a camera at the end is passed into an organ such as the stomach or bowel to view inside. Patients are referred for an endoscopy, which is a day procedure, by their GP or consultant to investigate symptoms such as vomiting or bleeding for conditions such as gastric ulcers, inflammary bowel disease and cancers Endoscopy activity includes GI Endoscopies, Gastroscopies ,Colonoscopies and cystoscopies. The Unit also accommodates inpatients.
The redevelopment of the new Endoscopy Unit is a key element to the progression of KGH's selection as a National Cancer Screening Service (NCSS) site for colorectal screening. The new unit will have enhanced capacity for both symptomatic and screening patients and this will impact significantly on the early diagnosis and treatment of colorectal cancer.
The Endoscopy Unit at KGH serves a population of 140,000 and is open five days per week. The total cost of the build was €3.2m of which €70,000 was received from the Irish Cancer and €60,000 from Friends of Kerry General Hospital Society for equipment as part of their support for the colorectal cancer screening programme.
(CD/JP)
