Patients diagnosed with oesophageal or stomach cancer can now undergo staging laparoscopy at the Horton General Hospital. Previously, this keyhole procedure, which assesses cancer spread under general anaesthetic, was exclusively available at the Churchill Hospital.
The introduction of the new equipment, funded by Oxford Hospitals Charity with £153,000, is expected to significantly reduce waiting times. The service reorganisation and investment aim to offer day-case patients the procedure more quickly and conveniently.
Richard Gillies, Consultant Upper GI Surgeon and Clinical Lead Upper GI Surgery at OUH, stated that rapid diagnosis and treatment planning are crucial. He anticipates the waiting time for this procedure will decrease from an average of two to three weeks to just one week, thanks to utilising theatre capacity at the Horton.
The first procedures at the Horton in August were successful, fostering a positive atmosphere among the team. Susan Evans, a 64-year-old patient from Bicester, was among the first to benefit. She highlighted the convenience of the Horton being easier to access and the speed of her appointment, which took place just three days before her wedding.
“"The Horton is easier for me to get to, so I was pleased that this could take place there, and I was also eager that the date didn’t clash with my wedding! So having the certainty and the speed of the appointment was really appreciated. And once my wedding was over, I could move forward with the right treatment."
Hazel Murray, Interim CEO at Oxford Hospitals Charity, expressed enthusiasm for the new equipment's impact, noting the charity's commitment to funding state-of-the-art technology for cancer patients. Simon Crowther, Interim CEO at OUH, thanked the clinical team and the charity for their support, emphasising the importance of reducing patient waiting times for tests and treatment decisions.
