Mount Alvernia Hospital
Harvey Road, Guildford, Surrey, GU1 3LX DirectionsPhone
Opening hours
Mon - Sun: 24-hours
Due to COVID restrictions one visitor is currently allowed for each inpatient.
Car parking
Yes - 37 spaces
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Abdominal symptoms and hernias diagnosed and treated rapidly
Another aspect of General Surgery looks at hernias and lesions of the skin. Your consultant will normally be able to see a visible lump where the hernia is, making diagnosis relatively straightforward.
Common reasons you may seek a private appointment with one of our specialists include:
You may already have seen your GP, but self-referrals are increasing, enabling you to come and see a specialist in the first instance whenever troubling symptoms occur. Whether you’ve had a flare-up of an existing condition, or you’re experiencing uncomfortable symptoms for the first time, why not book a consultation with our specialists at your convenience? Mount Alvernia offers you personalised care to get you an accurate diagnosis and the right treatment plan for your needs.
The majority of patients seeking specialist help, however, will need some form of surgical intervention, from diagnostic procedures to corrective surgery.
Endoscopy is used as an investigative procedure, but it can often be tied in with some treatment. For example, banding or injection of haemorrhoids can be carried out during the procedure, along with a polypectomy (removal of polyps found in the bowel), allowing diagnosis and treatment to be done at the same time.
Depending on the nature of your symptoms and whether they are related to the upper or lower GI tract, your endoscopy procedure will most likely be either a Gastroscopy (down the gullet) or a Colonoscopy (to assess the lower bowel, via the rectum). The endoscope used is a small, flexible tube with a camera and light on the end, transmitting a feed back to a monitor to allow your consultant to investigate thoroughly. Small surgical instruments can then be added, if required.
Other day case procedures include:
Whatever surgery is needed, your consultant will provide the most appropriate form of treatment in order to bring you relief from your symptoms.
A physical examination will then be carried out within the clinic. This likely includes looking at your abdomen, where your consultant will assess any of the symptoms you’ve mentioned.
For bowel or peri-anal symptoms, your consultant may perform a proctoscopy (to examine the rectum and anus) or sigmoidoscopy (to look at the lower part of the large intestine).
Typical diagnostic scans and tests include:
These can all be done on-site; some in our consulting rooms, and others in our Imaging department.
Some specialist tests may also be needed, such as an ano-rectal physiology test, (which allows analysis of the muscles in the sphincter), or a proctogram (a specialist x-ray to look at defecation disorders). Proctograms are carried out off-site, and all arrangements for this will be made by your consultant and nursing team, but all other tests are available at Mount Alvernia upon request.
GI function tests are also available, looking at the function of either end of the bowels. This might be for patients with:
Severe acid reflux can be assessed using a 24-hour pH trace called Monometry, where a sensor is placed in the oesophagus, measuring how much acid is refluxed into the oesophagus over a 24-hour period. As well as diagnosing Oesophageal Motility Disorder and acid reflux, this is useful in investigating certain rarer swallowing difficulties like achalasia.
Once results have been returned and a full diagnosis made, your consultant will meet with you again to discuss all treatment options. This can range from medication to surgery, and your consultant can advise on likely outcomes, helping to set expectations for your recovery. If you decide to opt for surgery, our dedicated nursing team will help you in any preparations with pre-operative advice and guidance.
Assessments ASAP – If your quality of life has been affected by your abdominal symptoms, you’ll want to be seen by a consultant without any delay. By seeing patients rapidly, our consultants can get you started on the right course of treatment as soon as possible.
Patient satisfaction – 98% of patients in 2020 said they would happily recommend the Mount Alvernia Hospital to friends and family in an independent report, and we’re confident that you’ll agree. 98% also said that the quality of care here at Mount Alvernia Hospital was either ‘very good’ or ‘excellent’. We aim to make your stay with us as comfortable as possible, and these results highlight our continued efforts to ensure this is achieved.
JAG accreditation – Mount Alvernia’s Endoscopy department has achieved Joint Advisory Group (JAG) accreditation, providing quality assurance for all procedures carried out here, featuring the latest 4K resolution endoscopes. This national body assesses the endoscopy services delivered to patients from the start of their journey, through any necessary procedure, right through to their aftercare during recovery. With JAG accreditation as a seal of approval, you can be confident that the highest standard of care will be delivered.
Same day surgery – Most of the procedures performed in General Surgery can be done on a day case basis, providing a ‘one stop shop’ for various issues. With patients able to return home on the same day, this efficient service saves you time and cuts down on unnecessary extra journeys.
A multidisciplinary approach – Our teams at Mount Alvernia work in tandem with each other to provide you with the best possible care from start to finish. Your consultants will work closely with gastroenterologists and oncologists, as well as a dedicated team of radiographers, anaesthetists, and nurses to ensure you have support from medical professionals every step of the way during your treatment.
Convenient appointments – With appointments available at dedicated clinics five days a week, you are sure to find an appointment slot that suits your needs and availability.
If you’ve been experiencing abdominal pain, why not get in touch to book a consultation? Our consultants can organise the necessary diagnostic tests to investigate your symptoms, and outline all treatment options for you promptly, arranging any further scans or surgery if required.
For peace of mind and expert care, please contact Mount Alvernia to book an appointment now
Consultant General & Oesophago-Gastric Surgeon
BMBS, BMedSci, PhD, FRCS
Mount Alvernia Hospital
Consultant Surgeon
MA, MB, MChir, FRCS
Mount Alvernia Hospital
Consultant General & Oesophago-Gastric Surgeon
MBBS, MA, PhD, FRCS
Mount Alvernia Hospital
Consultant General Surgeon
MA, MS, MBBS, FRCS
Mount Alvernia Hospital
Consultant General Surgeon
BSc(Hons), MB ChB, MD, FRCS(Eng), FRCS(Gen)
Mount Alvernia Hospital