A new £15m endoscopy unit is being built in the grounds of the Cumberland infirmary. Funding was secured from NHS England for the new building and we expect it to open in June 2025.

The new build will include five clinical rooms that all meet modern standards as well as an outpatients area. The expansion of the service also means more patients can be seen more locally in Carlisle.

CIC Endoscopy artists impression from front.jpg

The unit will increase the amount of procedures we can carry out to help diagnose a range of conditions and diagnosis will be quicker – particularly cancers – more patients will receive their diagnostic procedure within 6 weeks of referral. Recently Endoscopy services at both CIC and West Cumberland Hospital achieved national JAG accreditation, reflecting the high standard of care patients receive in north Cumbria. JAG accreditation is a national process that provides independent and impartial recognition that a service demonstrates high quality and consistent care. The new unit will  ensure the Cumberland Infirmary meets National Standards and future proofs the service to meet the needs of our patients across North Cumbria.

The building will follow modern methods of construction and will have a conventional look that ties in with the cancer centre. The building will be future proof – there will be more room than we need now however, we know that demand will increase and therefore the expansion within the unit will be there when required.

The current endoscopy unit within the main CIC building will be reutilised the plans of which are not finalised.

The main benefits of the unit are:

  • Patients will be able to access endoscopy faster - more patients will receive their diagnostic procedure within six weeks of referral in line with national standards
  • The additional rooms will have capacity to provide more lists a week avoiding unnecessary travel outside of the region
  • Being able to treat more patients means it will reduce our waiting lists.
  • It will improve timely diagnosis, particularly for cancers
  • The unit will also provide improved training facilities for staff.