Gastroenterology
Patients are usually referred to a gastroenterologist by a primary care doctor (GP). You should see a gastroenterologist if you have any symptoms of a digestive health disorder or if you need a colon cancer screening.
Waiting times
Referral to first assessment 4 - 8 weeks.
About the service
Our NHS gastroenterology surgery is performed by multiple consultants supported by a dedicated nursing team.
Service eligibility
We accept all referrals from accredited GPs.
Before your operation
On being referred to us for the gastroenterology service you will be contacted by our friendly staff to arrange a convenient appointment usually within a few weeks of the referral. Please be aware your first initial appointment with the gastroenterologist will be an telephone consultation.
At your initial consultation you will be assessed by either Dr Agrawal (consultant gastroenterologist, Mr Balchandra (consultant upper GI and bariatric surgeon or Mr Khetan (consultant colorectal surgeon). You can ask any questions around your care during this appointment. Your initial appointment includes a full assessment and may include an intimate examination. Your appointment takes approximately 15 minutes. You may be required to have further investigations which the consultant will discuss with you. If an endoscopy procedure is required this will be discussed in detail and if bowel preparation is required this will also be discussed in detail.
Following the appointment you will be given a date for your procedure. Your bowel preparation will be posted out to you and all the relevant information leaflets.
On the day of the procedure
Your procedure will be performed by one of the consultants in our endoscopy suite.
On arrival please check in with our reception staff and then one of our nursing staff will support you through our pre-admission process. Prior to your procedure nursing staff will take your blood pressure and do vital observations. If you are having a flexible sigmoidoscopy an enema will be administered.
You will then be seen by the consultant, prior to your procedure, and you can ask any questions related to the procedure. The consultant will then discuss the risks and benefits of the procedure and you will sign the consent form with the consultant.
You will then be taken to the endoscopy suite for the procedure which usually takes 15 to 30 minutes depending on which procedure you are having.
After the procedure you will be given post procedure instructions regarding after care advice. You will also be given a copy of your endoscopy report. A contact number is also provided for if you have any concerns.
If you do have any concerns or problems after the procedure please contact the surgery and speak to a member of our admin or healthcare team so that arrangements can be made for you to be seen immediately.
Aftercare
You will be seen at Phoenix Health Solutions for further follow up if required or if you have had a biopsy taken for your results approximately 6-8 weeks post procedure.