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Gastroenterology
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
Consultants
Dr Andy Milestone
Clinical Lead for Gastroenterology and Hepatology
Secretary (01432) 364117
Dr Jake Burdsall – AMD Clinical Information Systems
Secretary (01432) 364207
Dr Helen Fellows
Lead for Hepatology/Alcohol
01432 364197
Dr Senthil P Kumar
Upper GI Cancer Lead
01432 364117
Dr Karen Yearsley
Lead for Nutrition Support
01432 364207
Dr Rakesh Prasad
Consultant Gastroenterologist
01432 364197
Dr Rupert Ransford
Lead for Endoscopy/Bowel Cancer Screening Programme
01432 364117
Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patient Helpline
(01432) 364167
Hepatology Patient Helpline
01432 365742