(July 30th 2025) Ireland is leading a new era of innovation in bowel health diagnostics, according to a landmark report published today by Professor Deirdre McNamara, Consultant Gastroenterologist at Tallaght University Hospital and Chairperson of the Irish Capsule Endoscopy Registry (ICaRe).
The report, launched at the RCPI in Dublin, looks at the national rollout of Capsule Endoscopy, a modern, pill-sized camera that patients swallow, enabling doctors to examine their digestive system without the need for invasive procedures.
Ten centres across Ireland have introduced Colon Capsule Endoscopy (CCE), offering quicker, more comfortable testing for gastrointestinal issues. With more than 25,000 people waiting for traditional colonoscopies, this technology has helped ease pressure on overwhelmed services and provided patients with a more accessible alternative.
The newly launched ICaRe Report for 2024 has gathered valuable data from thousands of cases to assess the success of these capsule procedures. Using an anonymised, web-based tool this ensures Ireland's capsule services meet international standards and continue to improve.
“This report marks an important milestone for bowel diagnostics in Ireland. Capsule endoscopy is no longer just a promising idea, it is a working reality with measurable benefits,” said Professor McNamara, Chairperson of the ICaRe Registry. “With continued dedication from our hospital teams and support from patients, we can make sure every person receives the care that is right for them.”
Welcoming the publication, Dr. Karen Hartery, Chair, National GI Endoscopy Quality Improvement Programme said: “Quality in diagnostics is essential as we work to reduce waiting times and improve patient outcomes. Capsule investigations represent a very viable option for many patients, particularly as demand for monitoring and diagnostic services continues to grow. We commend the ICaRe initiative for its commitment to innovation and excellence.”
With continued investment in clinician training, protocol optimisation, and inter-institutional collaboration, capsule endoscopy is poised to become a cornerstone of modern gastroenterology. Future advancements, including artificial intelligence and refined quality assurance frameworks will further enhance its reliability and impact.
To learn more about the report and how capsule technology is transforming gastrointestinal diagnostics, click on this link.
Why it Matters
- Capsule endoscopy is less invasive and more convenient for patients
- Technologies like CCE and FIT (Faecal Immunological Testing) enable doctors to identify high-priority cases faster
- Patients now have more choices in how they receive care, helping reduce waiting times and improve outcomes
Key Findings
- Irish small bowel capsule endoscopy (SBCE) performance is excellent, with high completion rates, preparation scores, and lesion detection rates
- Capsule retention rates remain within internationally accepted parameters, though further data collection is needed
- CCE shows polyp detection rates comparable to standard colonoscopy, with some evidence suggesting it may be even more effective
- Bowel preparation and complete transit rates vary across centres, but early adoption of alternative booster medications is improving outcomes
- Registry data is already being used to develop quality improvement initiatives across participating hospitals
