Colonoscopy screening unit for Ennis

THE Mid-Western Regional Hospital, Ennis has been initially selected as one of just 15 hospitals nationwide for a new life-saving colonoscopy screening unit.

The HSE’s National Cancer Screening Service (NCSS) is responsible for the development and implementation of Ireland’s first national population-based colorectal cancer screening programme. One of the significant aspects of colorectal cancer screening is that it can detect pre-cancerous adenomas and is, according to the NCSS “a true cancer preventative health measure”.
In Ireland, colorectal cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer and the second most common fatal cancer among both men and women.
The programme is planned to be available to men and women aged 60 to 69 in 2012. Under the programme, men and women will be offered a free home-testing kit known as a FIT test and if further examination is needed, they will be referred for a screening programme colonoscopy at one of 15 units nationwide, including Ennis.
According to the HSE, approximately 94-95% of people who take part in the programme will receive a normal FIT test result and will be offered another home testing kit in a further two years. Approximately 5-6% of people screened will receive a result that will require an additional test.
The HSE say the selection of the 15 locations across the country provides “good geographical access and supports the aim of having a network of accredited units in place by 2012”.
Achieving confirmed status as a screening colonoscopy unit will be contingent upon the 15 sites demonstrating sufficient capacity, reducing waiting times for all endoscopy procedures, adherence to clinical performance targets, quality standards and meeting accreditation requirements.
According to a spokesman for the HSE West, “The staff of the endoscopy services in the four hospitals in the Mid-West are delighted that their efforts have secured a colorectal cancer screening centre for the people of the Mid-West and we look forward to the developments that will come to the region with the roll-out of this National Cancer Screening Program.
“The HSE West Mid-Western regional hospitals applied as a group to become a colorectal cancer screening centre. The group includes St John’s Hospital, Mid-Western Regional Hospital, Ennis; Mid-Western Regional Hospital, Nenagh and Mid-Western Regional Hospital, Limerick. In line with the plans for acute hospital service delivery in the HSE Mid-West, new endoscopy units have been developed at the Mid-Western regional hospitals in Ennis and Nenagh and a major refurbishment is planned for Limerick, all of which create additional capacity for endoscopy at these sites. We are delighted that Mid-Western Regional Hospital, Ennis has been selected as one of the initial candidate sites for screening.”
Fianna Fáil TD Timmy Dooley welcomed the selection of the Ennis hospital for the programme saying, “Clare people will now be able to access the life-saving service on their doorsteps.”
He stated he is confident the hospital would meet the quality standards set by the programme and be able to demonstrate their readiness to incorporate colonoscopies into their current service.
“I have spoken to hospital manager Frank Keane and as I expected, he is ready for the challenge and I have every confidence in him and the staff of the hospital to meet the required standard. This is great news for Ennis and for the patients of the Mid-West as endoscopy plays a major role not only in diagnosing colorectal cancer, which kills more than 900 people each year, but also in diagnosing and monitoring benign conditions including peptic ulcers and inflammatory bowel disease,” he said.