Kidderminster Hospital: Endoscopy unit gets top recognition

The recognition of the unit at Kidderminster Hospital and Treatment Centre comes after a rigorous assessment by the Joint Advisory Group (JAG) of the Royal College of Physicians and the British Society of Gastroenterology. 

The JAG sets out national standards for endoscopy units throughout the UK to ensure the quality and safety of patient care. 

To achieve the accreditation, the unit had to demonstrate excellence across several areas including clinical quality, patient experience and staff training. 

Assessment certificate (Image: Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust)

Richard Lovegrove, consultant colorectal surgeon and clinical lead for endoscopy at the Trust, said: "Gastrointestinal endoscopy is a very important tool in diagnosing cancers and pre-cancerous conditions within the bowels.

"We have an extremely busy endoscopy department and our team has been working tirelessly to meet the standards the JAG set out.

"I am delighted that we have been recognised as achieving these and are offering our patients the best possible care. This is extremely positive feedback for our staff and service."

An endoscopy is a procedure where the inside of the body is examined by using a long, thin and flexible tube that has a camera at one end for diagnosis or treatment.

The accreditation will help provide reassurance to patients that the skills and competencies of the nurses and other staff on the units are monitored and kept up-to-date.

The Kidderminster Endoscopy unit saw almost 9,000 patients over the last year, but recently opened an extension to their state-of-the-art facilities. 

This includes two additional endoscopy rooms, meaning thousands more patients every year will benefit from quicker access to tests.

Staff from the endoscopy unit were also presented with a British Citizen Award certificate recently after being nominated by a patient for their excellent care.