Work Starts On £12million Endoscopy Unit At QMC | Latest news

Construction has started on a refurbished and expanded state-of-the-art endoscopy unit at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust’s (NUH) Queen’s Medical Centre (QMC). 

Backed by a £12 million investment from NUH and NHS England, the project involves the reconfiguration and expansion of the existing unit, creating a significantly larger and more modern facility.

Endoscopy is a vital diagnostic and therapeutic service which uses a flexible tube with a camera (endoscope) to examine the inside of the body. These procedures are essential for diagnosing and treating a wide range of gastrointestinal and other conditions.

The new development will increase clinical capacity, adding a third procedure room which will enable a higher volume of complex endoscopic procedures to be performed each year. 

Other key patient benefits include:

Increased capacity and reduced waiting times, particularly for urgent inpatient diagnostics.
Enhanced patient experience with improved privacy, dignity, and safety.
Compliance with national standards for ventilation and room size in endoscopy services.
As well as serving NUH patients, the QMC unit carries out complex procedures for patients referred from surrounding hospitals. The new unit will strengthen this regional service provision. 

Staff will also benefit from upgraded training facilities, supporting QMC’s ongoing role as a centre of excellence in endoscopy education and service delivery.

During construction, services have been temporarily relocated. Clinical services and the National Centre for Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) have been moved to D56 at the QMC, and Theatre 8 is now being used for endoscopic procedures.

NUH’s two other endoscopy units, located in the QMC Treatment Centre and at the City Hospital, will continue to operate as normal throughout the works.

Dr Andrew Baxter, Deputy Head of Service for Endoscopy, said: “This investment marks a transformational step for endoscopy at QMC. Expanding from two to three procedure rooms, means we’re significantly boosting our capacity – not just in volume, but in the complexity of what we can offer.

“The new unit will allow us to deliver more advanced procedures in a purpose-built, modern environment. With more space and equipment, we’re not only improving patient care but we’re also strengthening our position as a centre of excellence for high-quality, complex endoscopic care.” 

He added: “Current and future staff will see some significant benefits though an enhanced training environment.”

Construction is being carried out by contractors Henry Brothers, with the new QMC endoscopy unit scheduled to open in early 2026.

Ian Taylor, MD of Henry Brothers Construction, said: “We are very proud to have been appointed to develop a new state-of-the-art endoscopy unit for Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust.

“Henry Brothers Construction is based in Beeston, just a short distance from the Queen’s Medical Centre, and it gives us great pleasure to be helping to improve the infrastructure and patient care at our local hospital.

“We have significant experience in the healthcare sector, so we are extremely pleased to be supporting the Trust and NHS England with its investment in capital projects in Nottingham.”

A spokesperson for NHSE Midlands said: “This is a significant milestone for East Midlands patients.  NHS England in the Midlands has been investing in improving and expanding endoscopy services across the region to ensure we have sufficient capacity for the population’s needs.  The expansion at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust has been part of a three-year programme to increase capacity which has seen over £57M invested in Endoscopy services.”