Introduction
The Scottish Capsule Programme (ScotCap) is an integral part of the national redesign of outpatient gastroenterology services as it enables access to early and effective diagnostic services, freeing up optical colonoscopy appointments.
The ScotCap evaluation piloted the delivery of Colon Capsule Endoscopy (CCE) through a managed service model in NHS Highland, NHS Grampian and NHS Western Isles. Following a successful evaluation phase, which ended in March 2020, the service is now being rolled-out across NHS Scotland to support endoscopy service remobilisation.
CCE is a procedure which involves swallowing a capsule the size of a vitamin pill. The capsule contains a digital camera which is swallowed and, on its journey, takes up to 400,000 images, which are then reviewed and analysed.
Since the evaluation phase finished, we have been working with NSS, DHI, Health Boards and industry partners in refining the service model, taking on board the findings and lessons learned from the evaluation phase.
A dedicated ScotCap Programme Team has been supporting Health Boards in adopting the service with a number of Health Boards now proactively offering CCE to suitable patients.
Regular bulletins are being issued by the ScotCap Adoption Programme Team to inform on roll-out and activities:
June 2022 Newsletter - CCE Conference Edition
A suite of materials is available from the ScotCap evaluation:
University of Strathclyde evaluation report
DHI Implementation Support Kit
For further information, please contact:
Angus Watson, Clinical Lead for ScotCap, Modernising Patient Pathways Programme
Anna Betzlbacher, National Improvement Advisor, Modernising Patient Pathways Programme