A major expansion in bowel cancer screening
The health service in the south-west has marked a significant milestone with the official opening of an €8 million endoscopy unit in Bantry, part of a broader expansion of Cork University Hospital’s (CUH) BowelScreen services. The new facility is designed to streamline diagnostic procedures, reduce waiting times, and provide greater access to essential screening for local communities.
Officials say the Bantry unit will complement CUH’s existing endoscopy capacity, enabling faster referral pathways for patients who receive positive screening results or present with symptoms that warrant investigation. BowelScreen, Ireland’s national bowel cancer screening programme, aims to detect cancers at an early, more treatable stage and to minimize the suffering caused by late diagnoses.
What the new facility offers
The Bantry endoscopy unit features state-of-the-art equipment and specialized seating and recovery areas to enhance patient comfort. The investment signals a sustained commitment to improving gastroenterology services across the region, with trained endoscopists and nursing staff now able to conduct colonoscopies, gastroscopies, and follow-up assessments closer to home for many residents.
Healthcare leaders emphasise that early detection through BowelScreen can dramatically improve outcomes. “Screening saves lives by finding polyps before they become cancerous, and polyp removal during a colonoscopy can prevent cancer from developing,” noted one senior clinician involved in the rollout. The new unit is expected to help thousands of residents access timely tests and follow-up care without lengthy hospital commutes.
Voices from the community
Mike Brady, 67, from Midleton, shared a personal perspective on the value of accessible screening. “I’m fit, I eat a well-balanced diet, high in fibre, I love to walk. I keep up with all my health tests,” he said. Brady’s comment underscores how even healthy, proactive people may face the realities of screening availability—the kind of insight policymakers say the Bantry unit aims to address by bringing services closer to home.
Local patients have welcomed the expansion, noting shorter waiting lists and a more efficient patient journey from referral to procedure. Local healthcare teams are hopeful that the new facility will reduce bottlenecks in the system and provide more predictable wait times for bowel investigations.
How this fits into wider health strategy
The new Bantry endoscopy unit aligns with broader Irish health policy focused on cancer prevention, early detection, and equitable access to screening. By expanding BowelScreen services, the programme can reach more people in rural and semi-urban areas, delivering timely colonoscopies and related tests for those who need them most.
CUH’s leadership suggests this expansion is not a stand-alone project but part of an integrated plan to upgrade gastroenterology services across the region, including training for clinicians, improved outpatient pathways, and better coordination with primary care providers. The ultimate aim is to shorten the patient journey from screening invitation to definitive treatment where necessary, minimizing anxiety and improving prognosis.
What patients can expect next
With the Bantry unit now operational, patients referred through BowelScreen can anticipate more flexible appointment options, greater choice in location, and a smoother process for any necessary follow-up tests. As screening programs extend their reach, clinicians emphasise the importance of continuing participation—encouraging eligible individuals to respond to invitation letters and attend screening when scheduled.
Health authorities continue to stress that participation in screening remains a key weapon in the fight against bowel cancer, a disease that remains a leading cause of cancer-related death but one that can be effectively managed when detected early. The Bantry facility represents both a local health upgrade and a national push to improve outcomes through proactive screening and timely intervention.
