IMPROVEMENTS at a Bangor hospital endoscopy unit look set to mean an extra120 patients being seen and shorter waiting times.

As part of the upgrade, a third procedure room has opened at Ysbyty Gwynedd’s Endoscopy Unit to help improve services for patients.

The unit also has a new admission room which means more privacy and dignity for patients.

Endoscopy is a procedure which concerns the examination of the inside of the body using a lighted, flexible instrument called an endoscope. It includes treatments such as colonoscopy, which is the most effective way to diagnose bowel cancer.

In 2016 the Welsh Government announced funding of just under £1m to improve endoscopy and colonoscopy facilities at the hospital.

Sandra Jones, Unit Manager of the Endoscopy Department, said the developments will improve the service they offer patients.

She said: “We are delighted that we now have a third procedure room in our department. We have seen the demand rise for endoscopy procedures in the last few years so the extra room will help towards lowering our waiting list so patients are seen as quickly as possible.

“We are also pleased to have extra space in our recovery area as well as the new admission room.

“The new decontamination unit is also an important part of the improvement work that has been carried out. The new room means we can carry out endoscopy decontamination and our surgical instruments decontamination with the highest of safety standards.”

Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Services, Vaughan Gething said: “We want to ensure all patients in Wales undergoing investigative and screening procedures such as endoscopies are able to do this in a safe manner. Investing in an effective decontamination programme improves services and ensures patient safety.”