Home Page

The endoscopy department

The endoscopy department is a purpose-built unit located on level 7. We offer a complete range of high-quality diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopic services for digestive symptoms and diseases. Our department is equipped with the latest, high-definition endoscopic equipment to ensure the best experience and health outcomes for our patients. A team of consultants and specialist nurse endoscopists perform approximately 14,000 procedures a year. They are supported by experienced and dedicated nurses, clinical support staff, hotel service staff as well as clerical and administrative staff.

What is an endoscopy?

An endoscopy is a minimally invasive procedure. We perform endoscopies to diagnose, monitor and treat symptoms of the digestive tract. During the procedure an endoscope, which is a long, thin tube with a camera and a light, is used to look closely at the organs and tissues inside the body.

In the video below we explain what to expect if you are having a procedure which uses an endoscope.

 

Why have I been referred for an endoscopy?

You will have been referred by a GP or clinician for this procedure; this may be after a visit/appointment with them or for further investigations. You may have experienced the following symptoms; 

Difficulty swallowing, stomach pain, unexplained weightloss, irregular bowel movements, heartburn, vomiting, constipation, blood in stool and iron deficiency.

Procedures we perform

The list of procedures performed on the unit which come under the umbrella of endoscopy are as follows:

• OGD (Gastroscopy)
• Colonoscopy
• Flexi Sigmoidoscopy/Pouchoscopy
• ERCP (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography)
• EUS (Endoscopic Ultrasound) 
• VCE (Video Capsule Endoscopy)
• PEG (Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy Insertion, change or removal)
• OM and OMPH (Oesophageal Manometry and PH studies)
• BCSP (Bowel Cancer Screening Programme Colonoscopy)
• Oesophageal stent/Duodenal stent
• Cytosponge

Some of these procedures will involve therapeutic treatments (including banding and dilatation).

We are here to provide the best health outcomes for you.

Here in UHP, our priority is to ensure that your experience of having an endoscopy in our unit is as comfortable and reassuring as possible.

We want to make sure that you can access as much information as you need, so that you feel as informed and as comfortable as you can be with your endoscopy procedure.