A new £2 million unit for endoscopy patients has opened at Chase Farm Hospital, which will allow the trust to deliver an improved service to patients.

The dedicated building has greater capacity, which will mean a cut in waiting times for patients who need an endoscopy procedure, such as a colonoscopy.

The new unit has twice as many treatment rooms as were previously provided, as well as private recovery rooms which means more privacy and dignity for patients. In addition, the unit is the first in the country to use a new tracking system which allows staff to monitor patients more closely.

As part of the wider redesign of endoscopy services at the Royal Free London, patients will now be offered endoscopy appointments at the new unit at Chase Farm Hospital or at the Royal Free Hospital, while Barnet Hospital will provide in-patient and emergency endoscopy services only.

The building at Chase Farm does not support radiology services (x-rays) so all planned procedures requiring radiology support will be carried out at the Royal Free Hospital.

Doug Thorburn, clinical director for liver transplant, hepatology, hepatobiliary and pancreatic and gastroenterology, said: “I am delighted that we have opened this new unit, which means we can offer a better service to our patients. We now have more capacity, which means waiting times will be cut and we can also offer patients private recovery rooms. The new unit has all the latest equipment and technology and is a more spacious and pleasant environment for our patients and staff.”

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Image: Staff in the new endoscopy unit at Chase Farm Hospital.

Notes to editors

About the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust

The Royal Free began as a pioneering organisation and continues to play a leading role in the care of patients. Our mission is to provide world class expertise and local care. In the 21st century, the Royal Free London continues to lead improvements in healthcare.

The Royal Free London attracts patients from across the country and beyond to its specialist services in liver and kidney transplantation, haemophilia, renal care, HIV, infectious diseases, plastic surgery, immunology, Parkinson's disease, vascular surgery, cardiology, amyloidosis and scleroderma and we are a member of the academic health science partnership UCLPartners.

In July 2014 Barnet Hospital and Chase Farm Hospital became part of the Royal Free London. Read 'A bigger trust, a better future'.