Expansion of NHS Highland endoscopy service as funding granted from Scottish Government
Extra investment in endoscopy at NHS Highland will see the service increase its capacity, allowing it to be delivered to more patients.
The funding, amounting to £1.35 million from the Scottish Government, will allow NHS Highland to place a temporary unit on the Raigmore Hospital site in Inverness dedicated solely to providing an endoscopy service as well as additional staff to assist the current complement in carrying out the work.
It will be in place for a 30-week period from the end of September, allowing the board to carry out an additional 2400 scopes during that time.
NHS Highland chief executive Paul Hawkins said: “This is a significant achievement given the limited funding available nationally. It will allow us to carry out many more scopes during that 30-week period, benefiting our patients and bringing down our waiting time.
“We recognise that capacity in endoscopy has been a challenge to us for some time but this investment shows the confidence there is in NHS Highland to deliver these improvements in a targeted fashion.
“I’m delighted that we will be able to increase the service provided for patients and I look forward to seeing the much-improved waiting time position.”
