Endoscopy screening referrals 'continue to rise'

Locum specialists are providing the service while recruitment for permanent staff continues

Demand for endoscope procedures, used to help diagnose certain cancers, continues to rise in Guernsey.

There was a 40% increase in referrals from 2022 to 2023 "and that trend is continuing", said the Committee for Health and Social Care (HSC) and Medical Specialist Group (MSG).

The waiting list has been reduced from 512 in February to 433 patients waiting at the beginning of August.

However, this is currently about the same as in 2022, when the States medical director said there were concerns over risks to patients in waiting too long.

"None of us want to see our patients waiting longer than they should and we are determined to do all we can to bring down waiting times," said HSC and MSG in a joint statement.

Recruitment under way

Addressing the increasing demand, the groups said: "We are treating more patients than ever before.

"We treated about 125 people a month from January to July this year, compared with 50 a month in early 2023 and around 30 a month in 2021.

"We review the list regularly to ensure patients are seen in order of clinical priority."

The statement said: "The MSG continues to recruit for two permanent gastroenterologists but in the meantime the service is being provided by two high quality locum consultant gastroenterologists."

The procedure involves a small camera on the end of a flexible tube being used to check the health and function of areas of the body like the food pipe (oesophagus), stomach and small intestine.

Anne Brouard, chairwoman of Bowel Cancer Guernsey, said the charity "fully supports" the efforts to "shorten the waiting lists for endoscopies".

She said it was important islanders took part in early screening assessments, which includes Faecal Immunochemical Tests that can be carried out at home.

"It is essential for individuals to stay aware of the signs and symptoms of the disease and seek medical advice if they notice any unusual changes," she said.