(Strathroy, ON) – The Middlesex Hospital Alliance (MHA) is pleased to announce that Four Counties Health Services (FCHS) has increased the number of endoscopies performed on site as of April 1, 2019.
There are two basic types of endoscopy. An upper endoscopy procedure which occurs when the esophagus, stomach, and the entrance to the small intestine are viewed by a thin flexible tube inserted through the mouth. The second type is a colonoscopy which takes places when the lining of the large intestine or colon, and rectum is viewed by a flexible tube inserted through the anus. Patients requiring the FCHS Endoscopy program must first be referred to the program by their family physician.
“MHA is proud to continue its investment towards critical clinical equipment at FCHS, and is committed to providing these services as close to home for our patients”, says Steph Ouellet, MHA VP Strategic Partnerships. “Prior to obtaining the new equipment, 150 procedures were done at FCHS annually. Moving forward, the hospital anticipates completing 500 each year,” says Ouellet.
Dr. Akram Elgamal, MHA general surgeon, is pleased with the new equipment. “We have a brand new state of the art scope system, which provides higher definition pictures. This allows me to remove complex polyps. I can even modify the light band on the equipment, showing small and subtle polyps that would have otherwise gone unnoticed”, says Elgamal.
This enhanced program is a direct result of the successful fundraising efforts of the FCHS Foundation, along with the generous individual, municipal, and corporate donations it received from the community. On March 31st, the Foundation successfully reached their $450,000 fundraising campaign goal to support the purchase of the endoscopy equipment.
“Our Foundation is pleased to have contributed to the addition of this wonderful resource for our community”, says Tom Jeffery, FCHS Foundation Board Chair. “The new endoscopy equipment at FCHS is a shining example of how we are continuing to invest in FCHS and provide service that is second to none for our patients,” says Todd Stepanuik, President and CEO of Middlesex Hospital Alliance.
A celebration event at FCHS to formally mark the suite’s grand re-opening will be held on June 6th, and the general public will be able to participate in an Open House / Tour from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. to view the new equipment.