Minister of Health Ayesha Verrall opens new endoscopy unit at Timaru Hospital

The opening of Timaru Hospital’s new endoscopy unit means the number of people in the region being treated per day will more than double, the Minister of Health says.

Dr Ayesha Verrall visited the region on Wednesday, and at the official opening of the unit said endoscopies and colonoscopies are both important diagnostic tools “which can treat conditions before they become more serious’’.

Early intervention was good for patient health and could help to reduce pressure on our health system,” she said.

The new unit has two procedure rooms, a fully equipped sterile room, a dedicated recovery area and three consultation rooms.

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It will have the capacity to treat up to 24 patients per day, more than doubling the number of 10 daily procedures at the moment.

The increased capacity will mean other minor surgical procedures can also be performed at the hospital, benefitting patients throughout the region, she said.

“I’m delighted to see this example of regions working together, using resources effectively to improve outcomes for patients, no matter where they live,” Verrall said.

As part of her visit, Verrall was also taken for a tour of the recently opened assessment, treatment and rehabilitation (AT and R) unit.

The 17-bed unit has three clinical rooms, a physiotherapy gym, a four-bed bariatric unit, a selection of double and single rooms, and a self-contained flat to assess patients’ readiness to go home.

“This is a wonderful facility which will help patients return to full health and regain confidence before returning home, particularly for those patients from areas where there is limited access to rehab services, like Twizel.”

The $11 million combined cost for the new units was another example of the Government’s commitment to making sure New Zealanders get modern fit-for purpose healthcare facilities, she said.