5 October 2026
Patients at The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust (RWT) are benefiting from an innovative new way to investigate bowel conditions, offering a less invasive experience than traditional procedures.
Colon Capsule Endoscopy offers selected patients an alternative to traditional colonoscopy, which can be uncomfortable and a longer hospital visit.
The innovative service allows patients to swallow a small capsule containing a camera, which captures images of the colon as it naturally passes through the digestive system.
The images can then be reviewed by clinical teams to help diagnose colonic disorders.
For patients such as 60-year-old Ann Poxton, from Wolverhampton, the new service has provided reassurance as well as a positive experience.
Ann underwent the procedure on 17 September after blood was found in her stool sample and said she would choose capsule endoscopy as her preferred method of investigation.
She said: “I am extremely pleased with the service; I give it 10/10.
“I found the service very efficient and would choose capsule as a preferred method of investigation.
“Although polyps were found, it has eliminated anything serious in the bowel and I know I don’t have to worry when having the polyps removed. I would recommend the capsule service in the future.”
Unlike traditional colonoscopy, Colon Capsule Endoscopy does not require sedation and is minimally invasive.
Liz Sharp, Endoscopy Nurse Practitioner at The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, said: “Patients do still need to complete bowel preparation before the procedure to ensure clear images of the colon are obtained.
“Once the capsule has passed, however, patients can return home and resume their normal daily activities without the need for a hospital stay or recovery period.”
For Martyn Horne, who underwent the procedure in March this year, the convenience of the service was particularly important.
He said: “I would choose the capsule service every time. I was 100 per cent happy with the capsule service and would definitely recommend the service in the future.
“The worst part was the bowel prep but you have to take that anyway with the other procedures.”
The ability to return to normal activities quickly was also welcomed by Anthony Good, who had the procedure last November.
Anthony, a self-employed Gas Engineer, said having time off work for him was a ‘no go’ so having a tablet instead of a colonoscopy was a much better alternative.
He took one day off work and was back home by 10.30am.
The 40-year-old added: “I was very happy with the service and would choose the capsule every time.
“I am self-employed so it was ideal to go back to work after the capsule passed. I would recommend the service to other people.”