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The Endoscopy Unit is a purpose built area on level 7 at Derriford Hospital offering a complete range of high-quality diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopic services.

A multi-disciplinary team of Consultants in Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Colorectal, Radiology, and Nurse Endoscopists perform approximately 14,000 procedures per year.

In addition to a wide range of advanced endoscopic therapies offered, the unit also provides a video capsule and oesophageal studies service.

Endoscopy is the term that is used to describe the direct visual examination of any part of the inside of the body that can be reached through a natural orifice. This can be through:

• the mouth into the stomach (a gastroscopy),
• through the anus into the large bowel (a colonoscopy) or another examination that is performed by the endoscopy staff is ERCP (endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography), which is a test to examine the tubes that drain bile from your liver and digestive juices from your pancreas.

The Endoscopy Unit is part of the national bowel screening service which diagnoses early detection of bowel cancer in patients aged between 60 and 74 . This investigation is aimed specifically at finding and removing any small bowel growths, called polyps, that could eventually turn into cancer.

In January 2017 the department was awarded full JAG accreditation after going through a rigorous external peer review process which means that the Trust is recognised as providing high levels of quality service for patients.

Finding the Department

The Endoscopy Unit is a purpose built area on level 7 at Derriford Hospital and is clearly sign posted from all entrances of the hospital. Follow the signs to Zone D, Level 7.

Crohn's & Colitis UK East Cornwall & West Devon have developed a film for endoscopy patients, about finding the department and what will happen during your appointment.

When we are open

The unit is open Monday to Friday from 8.00am - 6.00pm.

How to contact us

If you have any queries at all please feel free to phone us on 01752 438407.