Endoscopy Department at the Horton given gold standard

The state-of-the-art Endoscopy Department at the Horton General Hospital has been re-accredited by the prestigious Joint Advisory Group (JAG) on Gastrointestinal Endoscopy for the second year in a row.

JAG accreditation is a patient-centred scheme which is based on the principle of independent assessment against recognised national standards. It was developed for all endoscopy services across the UK in both the NHS and independent sectors.

Independent JAG assessors visited the Endoscopy Department at the Horton General on 6 December 2018 to inspect the facilities, interview patients and staff, and evaluate the clinical care being delivered. The assessors also reviewed the quality of processes and systems which underpin and support the treatment of patients.

This well-deserved national recognition is great news for patients and staff in the Endoscopy Department which was officially re-opened in November 2016 after Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust invested nearly £2.7 million in it.

The refurbished facilities mean that 5,000 patients a year from Banbury and the surrounding areas can continue to access endoscopy services at the Horton General Hospital, instead of having to travel for treatment.

Procedures carried out in the department include gastroscopy, sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy and cystoscopy.

Patients benefit from being treated in improved facilities, in a calm and relaxed environment which protects their privacy and dignity.

Julia Wood, Matron for Endoscopy, says: "We're so pleased to receive the JAG accreditation again this year.  The modernisation of our department at the Horton means that we can provide more services locally, which is great news for patients in Banbury.

"This award is quite timely - April is Bowel Cancer Awareness Month and services such as bowel scope screening, which we launched at the Horton last year, mean we can detect bowel cancer earlier than ever.

"On average, for every 300 people screened, this new test will prevent two people from getting bowel cancer, and save the life of one person with early stage bowel cancer."

Kathy Hall, Director of Strategy at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, adds: "Our investment in the Endoscopy Department at the Horton General shows the Trust is really committed to maintaining and expanding high quality services at the Horton.

"Congratulations to our dedicated team of staff for once again achieving JAG accreditation, which is recognised as the gold standard for high quality endoscopy services."