$545,000 endoscopy system installed at health service

Patients undergoing endoscopy procedures at East Grampians Health Service are benefiting from new equipment funded through the State Government Regional Health Infrastructure Fund.

EGHS received $545,187 from the State Government RHIF to install an endoscopy system in its two operating theatres.

“Endoscopy systems are critical items of equipment used in procedures such as colonoscopies, gastroscopies, cystoscopies and laparoscopies, which represent a significant proportion of procedures carried out at EGHS for the local community and the wider region,” EGHS chief executive Nick Bush said.

“The new equipment will enable procedures to be completed in a timely manner with significantly improved picture quality.”

The equipment the system has replaced was at the end of its effective life and technical support was due to expire.

This new technology will now be consistent across the region and will improve the clinician experience and efficiencies as well as the patient experience.

Other benefits include increased capacity to increase the number of procedures completed in a given time period, a reduction in regional waiting lists, decreased waiting times between the referral for procedure and the procedure’s completion and earlier detection of any abnormalities identified by the endoscopy procedure and therefore early treatment options.

“Thank you to the State Government and the Regional Health Infrastructure Fund for providing the funding for this vital equipment, which will benefit patients from across the Ararat region,” Mr Bush said.