A new £15 million, state-of-the-art endoscopy unit at Cumberland Infirmary, Carlisle, has officially reached completion and is set to welcome its first patients later this month.
Clinicians, staff, and project partners were recently invited to preview the newly finished facility ahead of its operational launch.
The purpose-built unit forms a key part of North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust’s (NCIC) ongoing investment in modern, efficient clinical infrastructure designed to enhance patient care and streamline service delivery.
The new development comprises five clinical rooms alongside an outpatient area, providing significantly increased capacity for diagnostic procedures, particularly endoscopies.
[Quote] Delivered by Ergéa UK in partnership with Actiform, the project employed the latest modern methods of construction
This expansion is expected to help reduce waiting times, improve timely diagnosis, especially for cancers, and enable more patients to access services closer to home.
Dr Adrian Clements, executive medical director at NCIC, said: "It was great to see the finished unit today — it looks fantastic and everyone involved in making this happen should feel very proud. This modern new facility will make a huge difference to both our patients and our staff, and it is great to see the hard work of a number of people and organisations come together to create a unit that will support outstanding care."
The unit’s clinical teams are now undertaking final preparations ahead of opening. Dr Daya Karat, consultant surgeon at NCIC, commented: "We will be working hard over the next couple of weeks to ensure everything is set up and ready for patients to start to use the unit. Our dedicated endoscopy staff are excited to start making use of the state-of-the-art facilities. This will also free up space within the main hospital for the expansion of other departments, further benefiting both staff and patients."
Delivered by Ergéa UK in partnership with Actiform, the project employed the latest modern methods of construction (MMC) to ensure the facility meets stringent national healthcare standards and high environmental performance benchmarks.
[QUOTE] This expansion is expected to help reduce waiting times
Ergéa UK is a leading vendor-independent provider of managed equipment services (MES) and maintenance solutions to the NHS and private healthcare sector, specialising in areas such as radiotherapy, diagnostic imaging, endoscopy, and cardiology.
The company is part of the pan-European Ergéa Group, which operates across the UK, Germany, and Italy, focusing on expanding patient access to high-tech diagnostics and therapies.
Actiform, based in Mirfield, West Yorkshire, is one of the UK's largest privately owned manufacturers of bespoke modular buildings.
With nearly four decades of experience, Actiform specialises in the design, manufacture, and construction of modular buildings for various sectors, including healthcare, education, and commercial environments.
Craig Farrow, commercial director at Ergéa UK, remarked: "We’re incredibly proud to be part of this project, which marks a significant milestone in our partnership with the trust. Together, we have created a modern, state-of-the-art clinical facility that will play a critical role in transforming the patient experience and support positive outcomes. We’re excited for the official opening and to witness first-hand the positive impact this unit will have on the local community."
[QUOTE] The additional clinical rooms allow for more procedure lists each week
The new endoscopy unit brings several tangible benefits for patients and staff across North Cumbria. It increases capacity, enabling more patients to receive their diagnostic procedures within the national six-week referral target.
The additional clinical rooms allow for more procedure lists each week, reducing the need for patients to travel outside the region for treatment.
Furthermore, the new unit ensures that Cumberland Infirmary meets national healthcare standards and future-proofs endoscopy services to meet the growing needs of the local population.
This investment follows the recent achievement of national Joint Advisory Group (JAG) accreditation for endoscopy services at both Cumberland Infirmary and West Cumberland Hospital — a recognition of the consistently high standard of care provided within the region.
The new facility represents a significant enhancement to local healthcare infrastructure and underscores the value of modern construction techniques in delivering high-quality, future-ready clinical environments.
Top image: Cumberland Infirmary