New equipment for bowel cancer patients will reduce waiting times

Friday 08 October 2021

Waiting times and the need to travel off-island for bowel cancer treatment will be reduced due to a new piece of equipment at the Princess Elizabeth Hospital.

A new diathermy unit has been purchased for the Endoscopy Suite by Bowel Cancer Guernsey in order to improve the treatment of bowel cancer in the Bailiwick.

The new equipment will allow the safe removal of lesions from patients’ gastrointestinal tracts, enabling specialists to treat bleeding lesions more safely due to the Argon Plasma Coagulator (APC) capacity of the unit. 

Current patients affected by such conditions must travel to Southampton for treatment. It means that off-island referrals will be significantly reduced by having this equipment available on the island.

“Not only will on-island APC treatment reduce the need for patients to travel to the UK but will reduce their waiting times for such treatment and reduce the need for blood transfusions and iron infusions," said Dr Hamish Duncan, Gastroenterologist at the MSG.

Pictured: The new diathermy unit in the Bailiwick will mean bowel cancer patients can be treated in Guernsey.

Associate Director for Clinical Support Services Martin Peacock said: “We are delighted that patients can benefit from the early treatment that this new equipment enables.  

“The fact that patients can receive this treatment here in the Bailiwick as opposed to an off-island referral will make a significant difference and enable them to receive the support and care they need in familiar surroundings.”

The new unit was purchased by Bowel Cancer Guernsey, which has donated funds and purchased equipment to help with the screening, detection and treatment of bowel cancer over the past two decades since the charity’s formation. In total, the new unit cost around £23,000. 

“We’re always keen to ensure that doctors have access to the equipment they need to help with the treatment of bowel cancer here in the Bailiwick," said Chairperson of Bowel Cancer Guernsey, Anne Brouard.

“We’re very grateful to everyone who has helped us to raise the funds to make this purchase possible, particularly as we know that it will make such a significant difference to islanders receiving treatment for bowel cancer.”