Over £3m investment to improve NHS decontamination services

24 Nov 2016 02:23 PM

Health Secretary Vaughan Gething has announced £3.082m investment into endoscopy and colonoscopy decontamination services this year.  

The funding will be used to improve endoscopy and colonoscopy facilities in health boards across Wales.
Health Secretary, Vaughan Gething said:

“We want to ensure that all patients in Wales undergoing investigative and screening procedures such as endoscopies are able to do this in a safe manner. Endoscopes must be thoroughly decontaminated after each use to ensure patient safety and avoid transmission of communicable diseases.

“Investing in an effective decontamination programme will improve services and ensure patient safety.” 

• Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board will receive £0.928m towards providing an additional procedure room and new decontamination area within the Endoscopy Unit at Ysbyty Gwynedd.
• Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board will receive £1.346m to invest in improving facilities in the Princess of Wales Hospital and Singleton. 
• Aneurin Bevan University Health Board will receive £0.370m to make improvements to facilities and replace equipment at the Royal Gwent Hospital.  
• Powys Teaching Health Board will benefit from £0.438m to ensure that diagnostic equipment from Ystradgynlais Community Hospital can be decontaminated at Brecon Memorial Hospital.  

Some of the funding will be used to enable remaining Welsh endoscopy units to progress towards meeting the standards for Joint Advisory Group on Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (JAG) accreditation. This will ensure that units are meeting appropriate standards for equipment, physical environment, endoscopy training and waiting times.