Endoscopy plays a vital role in diagnosing cancers of the oesophagus and stomach. Earlier diagnosis gives patients the best chance of receiving potentially curative treatment, making timely access to diagnostic tests critical.
Transnasal Endoscopy (TNE) is a type of upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy carried out through the nose rather than the mouth, using a thinner endoscope. For many patients, this can be more comfortable and easier to tolerate than a traditional gastroscopy. It can also offer an option for some patients who may otherwise struggle to undergo an upper GI endoscopy.
Because TNE does not usually require sedation and can be delivered outside a main endoscopy theatre, it can also be more efficient for NHS services. This creates additional diagnostic capacity, allowing more patients to be investigated sooner.
Moondance Cancer Initiative has previously supported the introduction of TNE within Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board. This investment builds on that earlier work by supporting the expansion of the service to a second site, increasing access for patients across the Health Board area.
The expansion will enable CTM UHB to reach more patients, improve equity of access to TNE, and make use of the skilled workforce being developed to deliver the service sustainably. By increasing upper GI diagnostic capacity, the service will also release space in main endoscopy theatres for additional lower GI procedures, helping more patients on the urgent suspected cancer pathway to be investigated sooner.
Through this expansion, CTM UHB aims to:
- provide more timely access to upper GI diagnostics for patients on the urgent suspected cancer pathway
- increase lower GI diagnostic capacity by releasing main endoscopy theatre space
- improve patient experience and equity of access across the Health Board area
- reduce diagnostic waiting times and support earlier cancer diagnosis across both upper and lower GI pathways.