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Endoscopy services

The Endoscopy Service provides a diagnostic and therapeutic (treatment) service for patients with problems of the gastrointestinal tract (the part of the body that takes in food, digests it, and expels the remaining waste). The day procedures listed below are all carried out in our Endoscopy Units at Kent and Canterbury Hospital, William Harvey Hospital, and Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Hospital.

Kent & Canterbury Hospital

Unit Manager: Nicolae Damian

Telephone: 01227 783058 (8am - 6pm)

How to get here: travel, maps and parking

William Harvey Hospital

Unit Manager: Karen McGrath

Telephone: 01233 616274 (8am - 6pm)

How to get here: travel, maps and parking

Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Hospital

Unit Manager: Rebecca Smith

Telephone: 01843 234370 (8am - 6pm)

How to get here: travel, maps and parking

 

Contacting us

Our Units are open Monday to Sunday 8am to 6pm. Please contact us using the numbers listed for each Unit.

If you are a patient and need to contact us urgently outside of these times, please phone our Accident and Emergency Departments:

William Harvey Hospital A&E

  • 01233 633331 extension 723-8136 

Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Hospital A&E

  • 01843 235030

Gastroscopy

A gastroscopy is an examination of the inside of your oesophagus (gullet), the stomach, and the duodenum (the first bend of the small intestine). To do this a thin, flexible tube approximately the size of a woman’s little finger called a gastroscope is used.

Gastroscopy
Gastroscopy/Oesophageal dilation
Gastroscopy/PEG
Gastroscopy/varices
Colonoscopy and gastroscopy
Flexible sigmoidoscopy and gastroscopy
Endoscopic Argon Plasma Coagulation (APC)
Eosinophilic oesophagitis
Gastritis
Achalasia
Peptic ulcer disease
You and your oesophageal stent

Reflux diseases

The stomach produces hydrochloric acid to help breakdown and digest food. In some people, this acid can become a problem. Acid can rise up into the gullet (oesophagus), cause discomfort, and pain.

A normal result for patients with reflux symptoms
Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease
Barrett’s Oesophagus
Hiatus hernia 

Flexible sigmoidoscopy

A flexible sigmoidoscopy is an examination that allows the endoscopist (person performing the test) to look directly at the lining of the lower part of your bowel (approximately the first third) using a sigmoidoscope (a flexible tube about the thickness of a women’s index finger).

Flexible sigmoidoscopy
Flexible sigmoidoscopy and gastroscopy
Information following your procedure: colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy
Colon stent

Colonoscopy

A colonoscopy is an examination, which allows the endoscopist to (person performing the test) look directly at the lining of all the large intestine or colon using a colonoscope.

Colonoscopy
Colonoscopy and gastroscopy
Endoscopic Argon Plasma Coagulation (APC)
Colon stent

ERCP

An ERCP is a test that allows the endoscopist (person performing the test) to diagnose and treat problems with the tubes (ducts) draining the gallbladder, pancreas, and liver (the drainage routes of the liver are known as bile ducts).

ERCP (Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangio Pancreatography)
What will happen following my ERCP?

Bronchoscopy

A bronchoscopy is a procedure where an endoscopist (person performing the test) looks into your large airways (the trachea and bronchi) using a bronchoscope (a thin, flexible, telescope about as thick as a pencil). While they are performing this test they are able to take different types of samples to help with your diagnosis.

We have produced this short film to let you know what to expect when having an endoscopy:

Endoscopy’s aim is to provide the highest standard of care for all our patients, regardless of age, ability, race, culture, religion and sexual orientation. We care for our patients and visitors, as we ourselves would wish to be treated.

Despite our patients’ short stay, we aim to meet their needs and, where necessary, will continue to care for them through the community nursing service.

An open attitude is encouraged in which information is shared with patients wherever possible, being mindful of the importance of patient confidentiality and the Data Protection Act. We will ensure the patient is treated in privacy and with dignity.

We believe in working together as a team. Supporting and respecting each other, we are aware that everyone’s contribution is of value to our overall performance.

We welcome all comments and suggestions as we are constantly looking for ways to improve our service.

We also believe that:

  • Nurses should support and respect each other and that their specialised knowledge and skills be recognised and valued by all members of the healthcare team.
  • Nurses have the right to work within a safe environment, where appropriate training and safety equipment is provided.
  • Nurses have a professional responsibility to maintain and update their own knowledge and clinical skills.
  • Nurses are professionally accountable for the care they provide and will therefore work within the principle of the NMC The Code (2008) and the Scope of Professional Practice (June 1992).