The newly expanded endoscopy unit at Watford General Hospital has been officially opened, doubling its capacity.

The increasing need for the early diagnosis of bowel cancer, together with screening programmes to prevent bowel cancer, has led to an explosion in endoscopy referrals.

The hospital is meeting this need through the doubling of the endoscopy unit’s capacity at Watford from two rooms to four, and reduced waiting times for diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.

Urgent procedures are performed within two weeks and routine procedures within six weeks.

Dr Bruce Macfarlane, clinical lead for bowel cancer screening programme, said: “The expansion of our capacity, the full roll out of the bowel scope programme and the enhanced facilities for advanced endoscopy procedures will provide an even better service for local people.

“We can be proud of both our investment in endoscopy and the service the unit provides.”

Guardian night editor and former Watford Observer journalist Simon Ricketts visited the unit last month, adding: “The new unit at Watford is very impressive and will undoubtedly save lives.

“That's something anyone could get behind.”

The endoscopy unit at Hemel Hempstead will continue to provide bowel cancer screening programme colonoscopies, plus diagnostic endoscopy.