SIZE OF ENDOSCOPY UNIT

The BSG Report¹ recommended that an average DGH (2,500-3,000 endoscopies per year) should have a minimum of two endoscopy rooms within the unit. Of the 185 hospitals that answered the question on endoscopy rooms, 7% (13/185) had less than two rooms. However, Figure 6 shows, there are clearly some hospitals which are very well equipped as well as some larger hospitals that appear to have fewer rooms than would appear adequate
if they are going to provide an appropriate service for patients. As previously commented upon, it was a concern to NCEPOD that 17% of hospitals could not provide details of either the number of endoscopy procedures performed a year or the number of rooms that they had in their unit.

Anecdotally, however, we know that the issue of room efficiency is complex depending
on issues such as where ERCP and bronchoscopies are performed. All hospitals should ensure that the best use of their facilities is being made.

Figure 6. Annual number of patients by number of endoscopy rooms