Northern Ireland-headquartered contractor Henry Brothers has completed a comprehensive refurbishment and expansion of the Endoscopy Unit at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust's Queen’s Medical Centre (QMC), supported by a £12.4 million investment from NUH and NHS England.

The project has converted the diagnostics service into a substantially larger, modern facility designed to serve more patients each year and enhance the environment for both patients and staff.

Capacity has been increased through the addition of a third procedure room, helping to reduce waiting times, particularly for urgent inpatients awaiting discharge.

Ian Taylor, MD of Henry Brothers Construction, said: "We are proud to have delivered this endoscopy unit, which is now set to become a vital regional asset and to strengthen health outcomes across the area.

"Henry Brothers makes it a priority to support the communities in which we work. We're based in Beeston, not far from the Queen's Medical Centre, and we consider it a privilege to provide new cutting-edge capacity for our local hospital."

Patients now benefit from a more contemporary setting with enhanced privacy, dignity and safety. The unit incorporates an admissions area, preparation rooms, three endoscopy treatment rooms, two recovery bays, a discharge room and dedicated staff facilities. Delivered via the Pagabo Major Construction Works Framework, Henry Brothers worked alongside CPMG Architects, structural and civil engineers Keith Simpson Associates, EP Consulting for mechanical and electrical services, and Meller as quantity surveyor.

Following completion, the Trust intends to seek Joint Advisory Group (JAG) accreditation, which assesses UK endoscopy units to ensure safety for patients and staff, alongside appropriate standards of privacy, dignity and infection control.

Rod Petman was among the last patients treated in the former unit and reflected on the difference the upgrade makes.

He said: "It was functional but felt cramped. Some rooms were located on the opposite side of a corridor, and patients sometimes had to cross that corridor to the treatment rooms. The new unit is now all located in one much bigger space, and it is amazing.

"It improves the patient experience by providing a flow right from when patients arrive at reception through to discharge, ensuring a calm, welcoming atmosphere, along with added privacy and dignity."

As well as caring for NUH patients, the QMC service supports complex procedures for people referred from neighbouring hospitals, strengthening specialist endoscopy provision across the region. The upgraded facility also provides improved training space, underpinning QMC's role in endoscopy education, innovation and service delivery.