New Carlisle endoscopy unit plans submitted

The unit would see an increased number of people treated at Carlisle rather than Newcastle, health bosses say

Plans for a new £15m endoscopy unit in Cumbria have been submitted with health chiefs hoping it will mean more patients can be treated locally.

The department at Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle would be built on an area used as car parking.

The hospital currently has only one endoscopy room meeting national accreditation standards.

North Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust said approval would see fewer people needing to travel to Newcastle for treatment.

An endoscopy is among the key diagnostic tests used to detect serious illnesses, including cancer.

Funding for the building has been secured from NHS England and the plans submitted to Cumberland Council.

It would include five clinical rooms as well as an outpatients area, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.