Upgrades to Concord Hospital’s Ambulatory Care and Endoscopy (ACE) Unit improve patient experience.

The refurbishment of Concord Hospital’s Ambulatory Care Endoscopy (ACE) Unit is complete and will provide a much-improved experience for patients and staff.

The Unit is part of the Gastroenterology Department, one of Concord Hospital’s largest departments, with staff performing more than 6500 endoscopic and other procedures a year.

The Unit was originally commissioned and built in February 2002. The recent renovations to the clinic include upgraded fixtures, fittings and lighting, painting and flooring, and general facility refurbishment for smoother service delivery, including in the three endoscopy procedure rooms and recovery areas. 

Clinical Associate Professor Peter Katelaris, Head of Concord’s Gastroenterology Department and District Co-Clinical Stream Director, emphasised that the newly refurbished unit delivers an improved experience not only for patients, but also staff. 

“It’s a non-threatening environment for patients, with warm, soft, lighting, clean colours. Modernised and fit-for purpose,” he said.

“A refurbished modernised work environment, does wonders for staff morale also.”

Mr Anthony Dombkins, Concord General Manager, is grateful for the collaboration between the District’s Capital Infrastructure and Engineering (C.I.E.) team, with special recognition to C.I.E. Director Jon Gowdy, Capital Works Manager Shane Oakes and Project Manager Mark Nicholls.

“This is another fantastic infrastructure project the C.I.E. team has completed for our hospital, and we are very grateful for your excellent work,” he said.

“Thank you also to the staff who provided input into the designs and plans for the refurbishment.” 

A brief tour of the new facility led by A/Professor Katelaris with Sydney Local Health District executives and staff, including former General Manager Dr Genevieve Wallace and former Director of Corporate and Clinical Support Services Grace Scott, showcased the modifications and new technology available.

The ACE Unit plays a pivotal role in the District through diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopic services, a motility and gastrointestinal function service, intestinal ultrasound, fibroscan and specialty hepatology and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) clinics.

The Direct Access Colonoscopy (DAC) clinic is the latest service added to the Unit, supporting patients who have received a positive faecal occult blood test (FOBT) with bowel cancer detection.

Dr Emily He, Gastroenterologist who leads the DAC service, says it has been a fantastic first year for the clinic. 

“We have seen over 150 patients in the first year, with a hundred of them going into colonoscopy,” she said. 

The Concord ACE Unit DAC service improve access to colonoscopy by reducing waiting times, anxiety, costs, and travel time for patients with potential bowel cancer.

The DAC clinic is accessible via referral from a General Practitioner and can be contacted by emailing slhd-crgh-dac@health.nsw.gov.au.