The Cumberland Infirmary currently has only one endoscopy room which is of a suitable size and two smaller rooms that do not meet national accreditation standards. The new build will include five clinical rooms as well as an outpatient’s area.

The expansion of the service also means patients currently travelling to Newcastle for a procedure can be seen more locally in Carlisle.

The main benefits of the unit are:

• Patients will be able to access endoscopy faster – 99% of patients will receive their diagnostic procedure within six weeks of referral in line with national standards.

• The additional rooms will have capacity to provide a further 30 lists per week avoiding unnecessary travel outside of the region.

• Accreditation with the national Joint Advisory Group (JAG) on GI Endoscopy will be achievable, showing best practice and the highest of standards.

ASG Fabrications were appointed initially to design and manufacture the steel frames to a value of around £400,000 but have since have multiple variations added to their scope of works which you can see at the bottom of the page.