Torbay endoscopy unit helps cut waiting lists, doctors say

The multimillion-pound endoscopy training centre at Torbay Hospital is helping cut waiting lists, the NHS says

A new endoscopy centre in Devon is helping to reduce waiting times, doctors have said.

The Endoscopy Training Centre at Torbay Hospital opened in November with an aim to provide faster diagnoses.

Endoscopy is a common procedure using cameras to examine tissue and organs inside a patient.

Dr James Neale, consultant gastroenterologist at Torbay Hospital, said "huge progress" was being made in reducing waiting times.

Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust said the facility had capacity for about 200 procedures a week.

Dr Neale said: "We're not unique and have had a huge pressure on waiting lists over the last few months and years.

"The new unit opened about a month ago... even within a short time we had made huge progress against our waiting list."

Endoscopy is a common procedure using cameras to examine tissue and organs inside a patient

He said the training offered at the facility was helping "the next generation of endoscopists".

"[That] is really important, so we can now do that even more so than we have done previously," he added.

The trust said the unit was funded by the NHS to help address diagnostic delays and improve cancer outcomes.

Additional funding was provided by the South West Endoscopy Training Academy, it said.