02 September 2014
Patients and clinicians in Jersey are both set to benefit from the donation of an additional paediatric colonoscope to the General Hospital following fundraising efforts by the Island’s Freemasons.
The Freemasons of Jersey have raised £40,000 to purchase a new paediatric colonoscope, which was presented to the Endoscopy Unit at the General Hospital on Tuesday 2 September.
The presentation marks the culmination of the 2013/14 fundraising efforts by the Freemasons of Jersey, who adopted the bowel screening programme as their charity of choice for the year.
Care and comfort
Doctor David Ng, Consultant Gastroenterologist, said the new piece of equipment would make a significant difference to the level of care and comfort provided to patients.
He said “While this isn’t the first of its kind in the hospital, the addition of another paediatric colonoscope means we will be able to screen all our clients using a paediatric scope.”
“These scopes are around 30% smaller than a conventional colonoscope, which means the overall experience for the client is much more pleasant and virtually pain-free.
"These paediatric colonoscopes also provide much clearer, high-definition images which enable clinicians to detect even the smallest polyps, which can then be removed at an early stage before developing into something more serious.”
Halving deaths from bowel cancer
Bowel cancer claims around 20 lives annually in Jersey. The team orchestrated the introduction of a new screening programme for people in their 60th birthday year which is expected to halve bowel cancer death on the Island within 10 years.
The positive impact was felt as soon as the new screening commenced in January 2013, with nearly 650 people screened in the first year and 25% of these patients having polyps removed.
The funds for the purchase of the new paediatric scope were raised by the Freemasons of Jersey through donations and various charity events, ranging from lunches, raffles, and barbecues to a clay pigeon shooting challenge.
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