New purpose-built gastrointestinal physiology unit opens at Rochdale Infirmary

The official unit opening with Drs Radhakrishnan and Balakrishnan with senior GI physiologist Kumud Solanki

A new purpose-built suite has opened at Rochdale Infirmary for patients with gastrointestinal problems.

The gastro-intestinal (GI) physiology unit has been officially opened after its relocation within the Rochdale Infirmary site.

Now housed in a larger purpose-built unit on level A in the Infirmary, the unit houses state-of-the-art equipment with separate rooms for undertaking upper and lower GI function tests, office accommodation and a patient consenting room.

The unit offers a wide range of GI physiological studies for the assessment and investigation of patients with swallowing problems, gastro-oesophageal reflux disease and non-cardiac chest pain. There is also the facility for biofeedback therapy for patients with ano-rectal dysfunction.

Officially opened by Dr Nerukav Radhakrishnan, lead clinician for GI physiology and locum consultant gastroenterologist, he said: “Now with this substantial investment and relocation to a purpose-built centre, it will help us provide high quality services to the patients in The Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust.”

Mrs Kumud Solanki, senior GI physiologist in the Rochdale Infirmary unit, said: “The move to this bigger place will enhance the experience and comfort of not only the patients who attend the unit, but also the staff who work here. By having separate rooms for upper and lower GI function tests the Trust is complying with an important health and safety requirement. It will also enable us to undertake two separate procedures at the same time in the future, thereby reducing waiting times. Moreover, having an attached toilet facility to the lower GI function test/biofeedback therapy room means that patients are able to maintain their privacy and dignity, and the presence of a separate consent room for the procedure complies with the latest guidelines on consenting processes.”

Dr Shanmugasundaram Balakrishnan, speciality doctor in gastroenterology, added: “Lately we have been unable to meet the increasing clinical demands for the GI function tests due to ever increasing referrals. We have also been getting some referrals from outside the Trust. Hopefully the new revamped unit may help us to potentially widen the scope of our services and improve the efficiency and productivity.”

The GI physiology unit receives approximately 400 new referrals for upper and lower GI function tests per year, and provides biofeedback therapy to approximately 200 patients with ano-rectal dysfunction.