Important information for endoscopy patients

From Autumn 2026, the location of our diagnostic and routine Endoscopy will change at Poole hospital from the Philip Arnold unit to a new, purpose-built endoscopy diagnostic Hub located at the rear of the hospital.

In Spring 2027 our inpatient services and complex endoscopy will be located at Bournemouth, and we will continue to expand into our new Dorset Endoscopy Diagnostic hub at Poole. In the interim, while the new building is open and Poole has complex inpatients located on site, we will be supporting our new Endoscopy building with a new urgent Endoscopy unit, servicing complex urgent and inpatient endoscopy.

Dorset Endoscopy is growing, this service change marks a considerable expansion at our Poole site, offering double the capacity at Poole for the East Dorset conurbation.

Appointments will be offered at the location that best meets your clinical needs.

These changes will help ensure patients receive the right care, in the right place, at the right time, from the clinician best suited to their needs. Our priority is to provide safe, high-quality care while improving the experience and outcomes for all our patients.

The changes will take effect in Autumn 2026.

Endoscopy will be provided at the following locations:

Poole Hospital will provide diagnostic endoscopy from Spring 2027, in the interim Poole will support all endoscopy across the Dorset Endoscopy Diagnostic Hub and the Urgent Endoscopy Unit from Autumn 2026.

Royal Bournemouth Hospital will progress into the Urgent, and Inpatient site for East Dorset from Spring 2027, in the meantime will continue to offer diagnostic and Complex and inpatient Endoscopy.

Wimborne Hospital will offer a single room Endoscopy suite supporting community endoscopy.

If the location of your appointment changes, we will contact you with the updated details. If we have your mobile number, we will send you a text message. Otherwise, we will notify you by letter.

Please check your appointment letter carefully before attending to make sure you have the correct details.

Yes. You will continue to be cared for by the University Hospitals Dorset Endoscopy Team. Your records, treatment plan and care will remain with the same service regardless of where your appointment takes place.

There is expected to be minimal disruption during the changes. The plan is to manage changes carefully so services continue as smoothly as possible. If your appointment is affected, you will be contacted directly with details.

Overall, the priority is to maintain safe, high-quality care and ensure continuity of Endoscopy treatment throughout the transition.

Yes. You will continue to receive care from the University Hospitals Dorset Team.

These changes are designed to strengthen teamwork, increase capacity, enabling your appointment to be offered in a quick and efficient manner.

The new service model will increase appointment availability across East Dorset.

Appointments will be offered at the location that best meets your clinical needs and where the required service is available.

For travel information about how to get to any of our sites, please visit www.uhd.nhs.uk/visit. Here you will find directions, public transport information and maps of the hospital sites.

Parking is available at all hospital sites. For details about where to park, please visit www.uhd.nhs.uk/visit/parking.