Gastroenterology is the specialty of diagnosing and treating diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
Gastroenterology is the specialty of diagnosing and treating diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. This consists of the oesophagus, stomach, small bowel (small intestine), large bowel (large intestine or colon), the liver and pancreas.
Our Gastroenterology team provide an extensive range of services covering all areas of gastroenterology and hepatology. These include:
- Gastro-oesophageal reflux, gastric and duodenal ulceration, other causes of indigestion (dyspepsia).
- Inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s Disease), coeliac disease, functional bowel disorders.
- Liver diseases caused by alcohol, viral hepatitis. Auto-immune and metabolic conditions.
- Chronic pancreatic insufficiency
- Nutritional problems
- Cancer – gastroenterology consultants are members of the cancer multi-disciplinary teams in the Trust and the local cancer network. These teams are responsible for the management of people with cancer of the oesophagus, stomach, pancreas, liver and bile ducts, small intestine, colon and rectum.
- Bowel Screening as part of the National Bowel Cancer Screening Programme
Inpatient services
The majority of patients who require emergency admission because of a gastrointestinal problem are admitted to the Lister hospital, where a consultant gastroenterologist is on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Outpatient clinics
These are held at the Lister, New QEll and Hertford County hospitals. Consultants are supported by trainee doctors and specialist nurses to provide a range of clinics for:
- General gastroenterology
- Dysphagia and Barretts Oesophagus
- Inflammatory bowel disease – if you require urgent advice please email [email protected]
- General hepatology
- Liver transplant clinic (in collaboration with the Royal Free Hospital)
- Bowel screening – a specialist nurse-led service
- Iron deficiency anaemia – a specialist nurse-led service