Camera pill used for hospital tests

A pill containing a camera capable of taking thousands of pictures inside patients, helping doctors make a speedier diagnosis, is now being used at Stafford Hospital.

The pill, ideal for analysis in a number of conditions, including Crohn's disease, has been used worldwide, but was never previously available in Staffordshire.

It has been introduced after the £9,000 needed to fund it was given by the Stafford & Cannock League of Hospital Friends.

Testing of the pill has taken place and it is being implemented by Dr Nick Bosanko and nurse Faye Beard.

Dr Bosanko said: "Capsule endoscopy is an amazing piece of technology which has been used worldwide but has previously not been available at any of the hospitals in Staffordshire. This is a painless and non-invasive procedure and avoids x-ray radiation or very invasive and potentially uncomfortable endoscopy tests which have traditionally been used to image the small bowel.

"Funding new procedures in the NHS is a difficult issue at the moment and we are very grateful to the Stafford & Cannock League of Hospital Friends who provided us with the money to purchase the required equipment and trial the capsule."

Patients swallow the pill and are then free to go back to work or home before returning to the department eight hours later.

On its journey the camera takes up to 80,000 images.