Endoscopy action plan

This action plan to improve Scotland's endoscopy service covers a 24-month period and sets out steps to ensure that all new patients will be seen within six weeks for key endoscopic tests.


Endoscopy Landscape in Scotland

Endoscopy demand in Scotland has been continuously increasing in recent years due to the ageing population and an increased uptake in bowel screening due to the introduction of the single sample FIT test.

The population of Scotland is projected to rise from 5.40 million in 2016 to 5.58 million in 2026, and to continue to rise to 5.69 million in 2041 – an increase of 5% over the 25 year period.

The population is also projected to age, with people aged 75 and over expected to be the fastest growing age group in Scotland. The number of people aged 75 and over is projected to increase by 27% by 2027 and increase by 79% over the next 25 years to 2041.

This plan (see appendix 1) lays out short, medium and long term actions in support of a drive to provide accessible, clinically relevant diagnostics to the population of Scotland.

Colonoscopy is the ‘gold standard’ procedure for the diagnosis and non-surgical management of colonic disease. Oesophago-gastro-duodenoscopy (OGD) is the ‘gold standard’ procedure for the investigation and non-surgical management of upper gastrointestinal (UGI) disease.

Contact

Email: Jean.Wright@gov.scot

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