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St Mark's Hospital Foundation is a charitable arm of St Marks Hospital Harrow, the UK's only specialist hospital for colorectal disease.Bowel Cancer Screening Programme
The NHS Bowel Screening Cancer Programme London Hub
Background to the Programme
Following a recommendation from the National Screening Committee in 1999 two bowel screening pilot sites were set up. One in Coventry and North Warwickshire in England, and one in Fife, Tayside and Grampian in Scotland.
The aim of the plot was to research whether a national programme was feasible and how this should be structured and managed, how the general public would accept this test and how Faecal Occult Blood (FOB) testing could be used to diagnose bowel cancer.
Key Facts
The NHS Bowel Screening Programme will be introduced gradually across England from 2006 and it is anticipated that it will take about 3 years for phased implementation to be completed.
Bowel Cancer is the 2nd most common cause of deaths in the UK, accounting for around 80% of deaths in people who are over 60 years of age. Approximately 35,000 cases are identified every year and 16,000 deaths occur each year. Bowel Cancer might affect one in 20 people throughout their lifetime 90% survive if caught early.
The Programme and How it Works
The programme will be delivered nationally via five regional Hubs, each overseeing about 20 Screening Centres.
The local screening centres will provide specialist screening nurse led clinics for people who are offered further investigation (usually colonoscopy) following abnormal screening results.
The colonoscopy, endoscopy services will be produced by the screening centres. The screening centre will be responsible for referring those requiring treatment to their local hospital multi-disciplinary team (MDT).
The first programme Hub (Midland & North West) is based at the Hospital of St Cross in Rugby. The other Hubs located in Guilford, Gateshead, Nottingham and NWLH St Marks Hospital.
An Overview of the Hub and Screening Centre Relationship
Meet the London Programme Hub Team
Dr Dennis Wright - London Programme Director, Dr Sandra Rainbow - Consultant Clinical Scientist, Mark Stewart - Project ManagerHow to contact the Hub:
How to contact the hub
Helpline number: 0800 707 6060
Mark Stewart - Project Manager: 020 8869 5268