The Gastroenterology Department treats Dyspepsia, Gastro-oesophageal reflux, Oesophageal dysmotility, Peptic ulceration, Pancreatic disease, Acute and Chronic Liver disease, Coeliac disease and other small bowel diseases, Ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease and other inflammatory bowel diseases and assessment of change in bowel habit, iron deficiency anaemia and weight loss.

In addition to general hastroenterology services, the department also offers sub-speciality clinics and services, including:

• Iron Deficiency Anaemia
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease
• Hepatology, incl. Decompensated Liver Disease, Haemochromatosis, Tertiary In-Reach Clinic (QE-UHB).
• Nutrition Support
• Upper GI Symptom Clinic (Dyspepsia, Dysphagia, Barrett’s Oesophagus)

There are dedicated helplines for patients under the care of the Gastroenterology Team (see under Contact Details on this page):

• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Hepatology

All Gastroenterology and Hepatology referrals undergo consultant triage to ensure optimal pre-clinic tests are undertaken and the most appropriate clinic and health care professional are selected for the case.

A consultant-delivered GP advice and guidance service responds to Primary Care enquires within two working days.

Diagnostic and therapeutic tests include:

Endoscopy: Diagnostic and Therapeutic Endoscopy services include Upper GI Endoscopy (including Transnasal Endoscopy), Lower GI Endoscopy, ERCP Endoscopic Ultrasound and Capsule Endoscopy (Small Bowel and Colon).

GI Physiology: High Resolution Oesophageal Manometry, 24 Hour pH monitoring, Hydrogen Breath Tests

Radiology: Barium GI Studies, CT Enterogram, CT Colonography (Virtual Colonoscopy), MRI (MRCP and Enterogram), Ultrasound Guided Liver Biopsy, SeHCAT scans and other nuclear medicine investigations.

Other: Fibroscan

Outline of the department

We are supported by a team of Medical Secretaries/Clerks. 

The clinic staff consists of:

• 5 Consultant Gastroenterologists and 1 Hepatologist
• 3 Gastroenterology Specialist Registrars
• 1 Advanced Nurse Practitioner and Lead Nurse
• 3 Clinical Nurse Specialists in IBD and 1 Gastroenterology Pharmacist
• 1 Clinical Nurse Specialists in IDA/Coeliac Disease
• 1 Nurse Consultant and 2 Clinical Nurse Specialists in Hepatology
• 1 Nurse Endoscopist
• 1 Clinical Nurse Specialist in Nutrition Support
• 1 Clinical Nurse Specialist in Alcohol Liaison
• 2 Upper GI Cancer Nurses (Macmillan)
• Inpatient Ward-based Team includes 1 Physician Associate, 1 Clinical Fellow and 3 IMT/FY junior doctors

Links with other departments

As a department we have close internal links with the Endoscopy, Upper and Lower GI surgery, Dietetics, Histopathology, Radiology Departments.

We also have close multi-disciplinary external links to:

• Gloucester Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust - for Upper GI Cancer
• University Hospitals Birmingham – Queen Elizabeth - for complex Hepatology and HPB Cancer

Useful Links

British Society of Gastroenterology 
Coeliac UK
Haemochromatosis Society UK
Crohns and Colitis UK