NHS Lothian is one of Scotland’s leading examples of capsule sponge testing embedded in routine clinical practice. Its experience has helped shape the evidence base, service model and confidence needed to embed capsule sponge testing within NHS pathways, culminating in the national adoption of the test across Scotland.

Join Dr Ian Penman, Consultant Gastroenterologist at NHS Lothian, as he shares the Lothian story: how capsule sponge testing has been introduced, scaled and sustained across both Barrett’s surveillance and reflux triage pathways. Drawing on real-world implementation, this session will explore not only the impact of the service, but also the practical decisions and local leadership required to make it work in day-to-day clinical practice.

The talk will consider how Lothian built the case for routine use, engaged colleagues across primary and secondary care, redesigned referral pathways, and developed the operational support needed for delivery. It will also reflect on how local evidence and experience have contributed to the broader Scottish capsule sponge programme.

Grounded in frontline delivery, this session shows what sustainable implementation looks like in routine practice. For BSG attendees interested in scaling capsule sponge testing, it offers a practical account of how one health board helped transform upper GI pathways.

Speaker –

Dr Ian Penman, Consultant Gastroenterologist, NHS Lothian

Chair – Dr Richard Hardwick, UK Medical Director, Cyted Health