An endoscopy is a procedure where the inside of your body is examined using an instrument called an endoscope. The three main type of Endoscopies we perform are:

Gastroscopies (also know as Oesophago-gastro-duodenoscopy or OGD) where the scope is passed down your oesophagus to view your stomach.

Colonoscopies where the scope is passed through the bottom to view your bowels.

Sigmoidoscopies where the scope is passed through the bottom to view the lower part of your colon.

An endoscopy can be performed to investigate the following symptoms:

– Difficulty swallowing,

– Persistent abdominal pain,

– Chest pain that isn’t caused by heart-related conditions,

– Persistent nausea and vomiting,

– Unexplained weight loss,

– Vomiting blood,

– Persistent diarrhoea,

– Blood in your stools.

The procedure itself is fairly quick with OGD’s taking approximately 20 minutes, and colonoscopies and flexible sigmoidoscopies taking 30-45 minutes.

However your time in our Endoscopy unit could be up to 3 hours, this is to accommodate your admissions process, any questions you may have for the nurses or Gastroenterologist consultant, and your recovery time.

For OGD’s a local anaesthetic throat spray is given, and for most patients this is sufficient enough to allow them to tolerate the procedure.

Sedation can be administered for any patients, and for any procedure. The sedation we provide is a conscious sedation which means that you will be aware of your surrounding and will be able to perform simple tasks such as turning over. If you do choose sedation you must have another person accompanying you, who can take you home and watch over you for 24 hours.

Your Endoscopist is a fully-trained experienced Gastroenterologist Consultant. You may select your consultant from our ‘Meet Our Doctors’ page, however all our Consultants are extremely friendly, comforting and fully represent the values we believe in here at Beacon Health Care UK.

In addition to the Consultant will be 4 fully qualified, caring, hospital-based Endoscopy nurses, and a wonderful health care assistant.

Dependant on the procedure you are having, you will be given some starving instructions before hand. This is so that clear views can be obtained, and to reduce the risk of vomiting if attending for an OGD. If you are attending for a colonoscopy you will have been given a prescription for a laxative for you to take before attending the clinic.

Upon arrival you will book in with our receptionist, who will direct you to our main waiting area.

One of our endoscopy nurses will arrive to take you to the Endoscopy Unit, they will admit you into our Unit, consent you for the procedure and also take readings such as blood pressure. You will also meet your Consultant and will be able to ask them any questions you have.

If you have requested sedation a cannula will be sited so that the drugs can be administered.

You will be taken to the procedure room; where the endoscope will be carefully inserted into your body. If for any reason you do not feel comfortable, you can tell or signal to one of the nurses who will be accompanying you in the room and the procedure will be immediately halted or if needed, abandoned.

After your procedure you will be taken to our recovery room, where you will be monitored, especially if you have had sedation.

Once you have recovered our Consultant will explain the findings to you, you will be given a copy of your report, and information about who to contact if you begin to feel unwell following your procedure.

We will also send a copy of your report to your specified GP.

Your Endoscopy will be at our clinic based in Northenden.

Parkway House,

Palatine Road,

Northenden,

Manchester,

M22 4DB