A new £15 million endoscopy unit is set to be created in Carlisle.
The unit will be built in the grounds of the Cumberland infirmary, next to the Cancer Centre.
The infirmary currently has only one suitable endoscopy room and two smaller rooms that do not meet national accreditation standards.
The new building will include five clinical rooms and an outpatients area. The expansion of the service also means patients currently travelling to Newcastle for a procedure can be seen in Carlisle.
Daya Karat, consultant surgeon, said: “This is really good news for our local communities. We will also be able to treat more patients so it will help reduce our waiting lists and improve timely diagnosis, particularly for cancers.
“It also brings the unit in line with what we already have at the West Cumberland Hospital following the redevelopment in 2015.
“Moving the unit out of its current location in the main hospital also frees up space to expand other departments at the Cumberland Infirmary which is a further positive for both staff and patients.”
A planning application is set to be submitted in the next few weeks with building work scheduled to start early next year. The aim is to complete the project before March 2025, the health trust said.
