A new ground-breaking procedure has been introduced at Forth Valley Royal Hospital to help detect the early signs of bowel cancer.
Endoscopy staff are now able to use a tiny camera, encapsulated in a pill, to give a more accurate screening.
The capsule, which is the size of a large vitamin pill, is swallowed by patients and takes the same journey through the gut as food.
As it passes through the digestive system it captures thousands of images of the lining of the bowel to help identify any signs of disease such as cancer or inflammatory bowel disease.
These images are automatically transmitted to a recorder device worn on a belt around the patient’s waist which they return to the hospital within 24 hours so images can be downloaded and reviewed.
The initiative is part of Scotland’s Colon Capsule Endoscopy Service (SCOTCAP) which aims to help detect bowel cancer earlier so that treatment can be provided as quickly as possible.
It's hope the use of capsule camera will help clinicians to see and treat more patients and reduce waiting times.
Paul Hendry, Consultant Colorectal Surgeon and Clinical Lead for Endoscopy, NHS Forth Valley, said: "We are excited to offer this new diagnostic procedure in Forth Valley.
"Swallowing the capsule with water is painless and the patient does not need to be sedated although they still have to undergo the same bowel-cleansing preparation as a patient undergoing a colonoscopy.
"It will allow us to prioritise patients that still need to undergo colonoscopy and support our recovery plans as we work hard to address the ongoing impact of the Covid-19 pandemic."
