Private Endoscopy undertaken at The Clementine Churchill or St Mark’s Hospitals
Appointments for Endoscopy:
Tuesdays: 9.00-12 noon
The Clementine Churchill Hospital Endoscopy Unit
Telephone: 020 8872 3828
By arrangement
St Mark’s Hospital Private Endoscopy Suite (Level 3, Northwick Park Hospital)
Telephone: 020 8869 6787
Gastroscopy (or OGD) – code G6500, AC100 for basic examination
Painless examination of the food pipe (gullet), stomach and duodenum (upper small intestine) following local anaesthetic throat spray and/or injection of sedative. Patients may be aware of mild discomfort or retching. Patients should take no food for 6 hours before; water can be drunk until 2 hours before the procedure. This is a 5 minute test as an outpatient or day-case with immediate report with photos given to the patient before leaving the endoscopy unit. Results of samples taken (biopsies) are discussed in subsequent consultation. The following therapies are available, for which different codes are applicable:
- Dilatation of stricture
- Injection of varices
- Placement of stents
- Placement of PEG feeding tube
- Removal of polyps and early cancers
- Surveillance of patients with Barrett’s oesophagus
- Treatment of bleeding including argon plasma coagulation
Colonoscopy – code H2002, AC100 for basic examination
Examination of colon (bowel or large intestine) usually following injection of sedative. Patients may be aware of mild temporary discomfort. Requires preparation of bowel beforehand (“bowel prep St Mark’s Hospital, bowel prep Clementine Churchill Hospital”) with dietary restriction for 48 hours and strong laxative the day before. This is a 20 minute test as an outpatient or day-case with immediate report with photos given to the patient before leaving the endoscopy unit. Results of samples taken (biopsies) are discussed in subsequent consultation. Often, patients like to watch their procedure on bedside TV monitor in real-time. The following therapies are available, for which different codes are applicable:
- Removal of polyps
- Dilatation of stricture
- Banding of piles (haemorrhoids)
- Surveillance of patients with colitis and polyps
Flexible sigmoidoscopy – code H2502, AC100
A shorter version of colonoscopy, examining the left side of the colon without need for bowel preparation in advance. An enema (liquid rectal washout) is given just beforehand by the specialist nurse. This is a 5-10 minute test as an outpatient or day-case with immediate report with photos given to the patient before leaving the endoscopy unit. Results of samples taken (biopsies) are discussed in subsequent consultation. Often performed without need for intravenous sedative.
ERCP – code J3900, AC100
Examination of bile ducts and/or pancreas and with assistance of Xray monitoring at St Mark’s Hospital on Mondays or Thursdays only, with the intention of performing therapy. 30-60 minute procedure following injection of sedative, usually performed as part of overnight stay on Sainsbury Ward. Dr Pitcher will have detailed discussion with patient and family on the ward after the procedure and issue a written report. Results of samples taken (biopsies and cytology) are discussed in subsequent consultation. The following treatments are given:
- Removal of gallstone from bile duct
- Placement of stent into bile duct or pancreas
- Endoscopic treatment for bile leaks sustained during laparoscopic gallbladder surgery
Wireless videocapsule endoscopy – code G8080
Examination of the small intestine performed as an outpatient. A small videocapsule is swallowed by the patient and images of the lining of the small intestine are transmitted to a computer over 8 hours for later analysis.