Our Services

Colonoscopy

Colonoscopy is a procedure using a thin flexible camera to inspect the bowel. It is commonly performed as a day case procedure and requires special preparation to clean the colon beforehand. Colonoscopy allows for photographs and samples (biopsies) to be obtained and for the removal of small growths (polyps) from the bowel should they be seen. The procedure is performed by a Gastroenterologist and sedation given by an Anaesthetist.

Colonoscopy is a very safe and well-tolerated procedure. The risks are less than 1 in 1000 for bleeding or damaging the bowel wall. If more complex polyps are removed from the colon the risk of complication may be higher (up to 1-3%). It generally takes around 20-30 minutes to complete a colonoscopy and you will be able to restart your normal diet immediately after the procedure.

There are restrictions on your ability to work and drive on the day of the procedure due to having a short anaesthetic, however most patients return to normal duties the following day. You will require someone to escort you home and be with you the night after your procedure.

Gastroscopy

Gastroscopy is a test using a thin flexible camera to inspect the food pipe, stomach and top of the small bowel. It is commonly performed as a day case procedure. It allows for photographs and samples (biopsies) to be obtained, and for the removal of small growths (polyps) if required. The procedure is performed by a Gastroenterologist and sedation given by an Anaesthetist.

These procedures are very safe and well tolerated. The risks are less than 1 in 10,000 for bleeding or damaging the wall of the upper gut. It generally takes around 10-15 minutes to complete a gastroscopy, and you will be able to restart your normal diet immediately after the procedure.

There are restrictions on your ability to work and drive on the day of the procedure due to having a short anaesthetic, however most patients return to normal duties the following day. You will require someone to escort you home and be with you the night after your procedure.

Flexible Sigmoidoscopy

Flexible Sigmoidoscopy is a test using a thin flexible camera to inspect the lower bowel. It is commonly performed as a day case procedure. It allows for photographs and samples (biopsies) to be obtained, and for the removal of small growths (polyps) if required. The procedure is performed by a Gastroenterologist and sedation given by an Anaesthetist.

These procedures are very safe and well tolerated. The risks are less than 1 in 1000 for bleeding or damaging the wall of the bowel. It generally takes around 20 minutes to complete, and you will be able to restart your normal diet immediately after the procedure.

There are restrictions on your ability to work and drive on the day of the procedure due to having a short anaesthetic, however most patients return to normal duties the following day. You will require someone to escort you home and be with you the night after your procedure.

Capsule Endoscopy (Pill Cam)

Pill Cam is a test using a capsule with a built-in camera. After swallowing the capsule, it travels through the stomach and into the small bowel. The system sends thousands of images back to a recorder device. This allows us to generate a report on how your small bowel looks. The small bowel is not well seen on routine gastroscopy and colonoscopy. The procedure is performed as an outpatient. There is no need for hospital admission, and no sedation or anaesthetic required. The capsule is single use and will pass out in your stool, often unseen.

The Pillcam procedure is extremely safe and well tolerated. The risks are less than 1 – 3% for any complications. These can include the capsule getting stuck in the small bowel (called capsule retention), aspiration of the capsule into the lungs, and technical failure of the system to capture adequate images. These risks will be further explained by your Specialist on the day of your procedure.

Endoscopic Mucosal Resection (EMR)

Endoscopic Mucosal Resection, or EMR, is a minimally invasive endoscopic procedure used to remove abnormal or precancerous tissue from the lining of the digestive tract, such as the oesophagus, stomach, or colon. EMR allows the safe removal of large polyps, which previously would require surgery.

EMR is performed to:

Remove small to large tumours or growths (polyps) that could become cancerous.
Treat conditions like Barrett’s oesophagus with precancerous changes.
Avoid the need for more invasive surgeries, like open surgery.

During the procedure, will be given a sedative to make you sleepy and comfortable. The doctor uses the endoscope to:

Locate the abnormal tissue
Lift the tissue by injecting a liquid underneath it.
Remove the tissue using special tools.

After removal, the tissue is sent to a lab for testing to ensure it has been completely removed and to check for any signs of cancer.

EMR is less invasive than surgery. Recovery is usually faster, with most people going home the same day of staying overnight & it allows for both diagnosis and treatment at the same time.