Three purpose-built clinic rooms have officially opened at the Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) in Telford to support a pioneering £1 million colorectal cancer research study.
The year-long TRIOMIC trial, which launched last year, has already recruited more than 1,000 patients and is set to expand its capacity with the new facilities.
The trial, led by The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust (SaTH) in partnership with medical technology firm Origin Sciences, is the first of its kind in the UK.
The initiative aims to improve the speed and accuracy of colorectal cancer diagnosis and reduce the burden on NHS services.
Three purpose-built clinic rooms have officially opened at the Community Diagnostic Centre in Telford
Alongside the three clinic rooms, the new facility includes a consent area and a blood processing room.
The expansion will enable 150 appointments per week, allowing patients referred by their GP to be seen within five days at their first outpatient appointment.
Jo Williams, Chief Executive at SaTH, and Jon Lacy-Colson, consultant colorectal surgeon and Chief Investigator for the trial, officially opened the clinic rooms at a ribbon-cutting ceremony last week.
Since the start of the trial, more than 1,100 symptomatic patients on the Colorectal Urgent Suspected Cancer pathway at SaTH have been recruited to test a quick and pain-free alternative to traditional diagnostic methods.
Alongside the three clinic rooms, the new facility includes a consent area and a blood processing room
The Oricol (trademarked) device, developed by Origin Sciences, collects samples for laboratory testing to detect abnormal cells from cancer and significant polyps.
Origin Sciences, headquartered in Cambridge, has provided funding for 20 additional staff and capital costs to support the development of this new diagnostic pathway.
The company specialises in developing and commercialising innovative diagnostic tools for gastrointestinal diseases.
If the trial proves successful, it could mean that 8 out of 10 patients will receive a cancer-free result within five days, avoiding the need for a 45-minute colonoscopy requiring full bowel preparation and a hospital visit.
If the trial proves successful, it could mean that eight out of 10 patients will receive a cancer-free result within five days
Jon Lacy-Colson said: “The opening of the clinic rooms is such a milestone for this trial, which could revolutionise the pathway for colorectal cancer. It gives us the capacity for the first time ever to see all of the patients who are referred on the colorectal cancer urgent suspected pathway.
“If the trial with this device is successful, it could mean that most people will not have to have a colonoscopy, which could save NHS money and result in the need for a million fewer outpatient clinic appointments per year across the UK.
“This also means that patients can get an answer much quicker, whether or not they need a colonoscopy, and we can diagnose colorectal cancer at a much earlier stage, which has the potential to save many hundreds and thousands of lives worldwide every year.”
Hugo Lywood, Chief Executive of Origin Sciences, added: “It is fabulous to be standing in these clinic rooms. A huge amount of effort and hard work has taken place to get to this stage for about 40 or 50 people from Origin and from the NHS.
“But the end goal, to save those million outpatients a year, is extremely valuable to us and the NHS. It’s very exciting.”
Jo Williams, Chief Executive at SaTH, commented: “I am really proud to be here today, because this will have a huge impact for patients as the team has already shared.
“Saying to people that they’re having a colonoscopy and having bowel prep, it’s something that people worry about, and at times, people don’t turn up for their appointments.
“The trial is a great partnership between Origin and our Trust. This is so patient-centred, it’s fantastic.”
Colorectal cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer in the UK, affecting around 42,000 people annually, approximately one in 17 individuals.
SaTH currently sees about 350 colorectal cancer cases each year. The existing diagnostic pathway sees more than 5,000 patients undergo a colonoscopy with no significant findings, at an annual cost of £3–5 million to the Trust.
The TRIOMIC trial represents a significant step towards a faster, more cost-effective, and less invasive diagnostic process for colorectal cancer patients, with the potential to reshape pathways across the NHS if the results prove successful.
Top image: The team at CDC Talford