New technology for patients in Glasgow being tested for bowel cancer

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde is the latest health board to open a clinic that uses new technology for bowel cancer.
Professor Colin McKay, Chief of Medicine, North Sector, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, says the new technology will help cut waiting times.Professor Colin McKay, Chief of Medicine, North Sector, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, says the new technology will help cut waiting times.
Professor Colin McKay, Chief of Medicine, North Sector, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, says the new technology will help cut waiting times.

Scotland’s Colon Capsule Endoscopy Service (SCOTCAP) clinics will help detect bowel cancer earlier and cut waiting times.

The new clinic opened this week at NHS Louisa Jordan where patients will be examined using a tiny camera inside a pill.

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Bowel cancer is the second most common cancer globally and has a very high incidence in Scotland. Around 70,000 people undergo colonoscopy treatment in Scotland each year.

The roll-out of the Scotland’s Colon Capsule Endoscopy Service (SCOTCAP) across Scotland has been accelerated in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. It will help tackle the backlog of patients, reduce waiting times and ensure patients get either relief or a vital diagnosis.

Professor Colin McKay, Chief of Medicine, North Sector, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said: “Colon capsule endoscopy will make an important contribution to large bowel investigation as our services recover from the Covid-19 pandemic. This exciting development will help cut waiting times and will mean that many patients will avoid the need for more invasive tests.”

The new approach was jointly developed between the public sector and Industry through an Innovation Partnership and approved following the largest evaluation in the UK to date. This involved nearly 450 patients across three Health Boards and has been championed by clinical lead Professor Angus Watson of NHS Highland.

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The evaluation was led by Scotland’s Digital Health & Care Institute, sponsored by the Scottish Government and delivered by NHS National Services Scotland (NSS). Industry partners from Medtronic, CorporateHealth International and the Health Boards also played a vital role.

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