Stepping Hill endoscopy unit expansion secures planning approval

Plans to enhance the endoscopy unit at Stockport’s Stepping Hill Hospital have secured official planning approval following a consultation.

Contractors have been appointed for the works, which will enable the hospital’s dedicated endoscopy team to increase the capacity of the service in a new and improved environment. The endoscopy suite is used to examine inside a patient’s digestive tract, helping to diagnose and understand conditions such as Crohn’s disease, coeliac disease and cancer.

Demand for the Stepping Hill endoscopy team has constantly increased from 10,000 procedures in 2015, to over 11,200 in 2018, with demand expected to reach 13,000 by 2023. Improved facilities will also mean that some patients can avoid needing surgery undertaken through an endoscopy procedure.

The expansion will see two new assessment rooms, a new procedure room and a redesigned recovery zone with two single sex areas, together with state-of-the-art new equipment. The unit will also have improved training facilities, enhancing training for doctors and nurses.

New artists impressions of the building have been produced to give people a good idea of how the completed work will look. Work will soon be starting on the project which will include demolishing part of the old department to make way for the new extension.  Disruption to services is being kept to a minimum.

The building is scheduled to be complete by May 2022.  

Karen James OBE, Chief Executive for Stockport NHS Foundation Trust said:

“As demand for our endoscopy service continues to rise, this exciting new expansion at Stepping Hill Hospital will help us both meet that challenge, and provide an enhanced service for these patients. We’re delighted that planning has been approved on this project, and we’re looking forward to the new building being up and ready for use once the construction is finished.”