Doctors and nurses at Sherwood Forest Hospitals endoscopy department, including King’s Mill Hospital, Sutton, are celebrating after achieving accreditation from leading clinicians — the Joint Advisory Group on Gastrointestinal Endoscopy.

The trust carries out about 14,000 endoscopy procedures — involving using a flexible tube and camera during treatment for conditions such as bowel cancer, stomach problems, ulcers, gall stones and removal of polyps in the bowel.

Sherwood Forest’s endoscopy unit is also the Joint Advisory Group’s accredited national endoscopy training centre for the East Midlands and has links with medical teams in Pakistan.

Consultant Dr Steve Foley said: “King’s Mill has been re-accredited but it is the first time services at Newark have been included.

“Accreditation means that our patients can have confidence that their tests will be done promptly, safely and to a high standard, and they will be well looked after.”

Department leader Karen Shacklock said: “We have increased our availability and now run from 8am to 8.30pm and have extended the service to Saturdays and Sundays.

“This is preventative medicine at its best with early diagnosis helping to reduce the need for more extensive and more serious treatment at a later date.”

Pictured, from left, are Sarah Adams, administration team leader; Emily Dudley, clerical officer; Mark Townley, records assistant; Kirsty Adams, staff nurse; Paula Leslie, staff nurse; Cally Jarvis, operations support officer; Karen Shacklock, department leader; and Alison Liptrot, staff nurse.