Fast assessment and treatment for your digestive system concerns
At Shirley Oaks Hospital, our consultant gastroenterologists provide services to treat a wide range of gastroenterological problems.
Located in Shirley Oaks Village on the outskirts of Croydon, our private hospital sees patients from Southwest London including areas such as Sutton, Coulsdon, Purley, Wallington, and Kenley. We also help treat patients from East Surrey including areas such as Banstead, Warlingham, Chipstead, and beyond.
People travel to us to seek the expertise of our experienced consultants and to make the most of our high quality, modern facilities and compassionate team of healthcare professionals.
Gastroenterology is the field of medicine that investigates, diagnoses and treats diseases and dysfunctions found in your digestive system. A doctor who specialises in this field is known as a gastroenterologist.
Your digestive system is the collection of organs that help break food down so that it can be absorbed into the body. It works to remove the leftover waste products that cannot be used by the body by expelling them as solid waste (i.e. your stools).
Your digestive system is incredibly complex, comprising many different parts and functions. A healthy digestive system is vital to the proper functioning and health of your body.
Your gastrointestinal (GI) tract runs from mouth to anus and is made up of:
If a problem occurs in any of these parts of the digestive system, it can have a significant effect on your health, vitality and energy levels. Many problems in the digestive system will cause noticeable symptoms, such as pain in the abdomen, bloating or heartburn.
At Shirley Oaks Hospital, our consultant gastroenterologists provide expert assessment, diagnosis, and treatment for a wide range of digestive system conditions and symptoms. They would be delighted to help you on your healthcare journey with us.
Patients who visit our gastroenterology team at Shirley Oaks Hospital often have certain symptoms that may suggest a problem somewhere within the digestive system.
The most common symptoms we see are:
Other altered bowel habits include:
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, or you have had an abnormal liver function test result, it is always sensible to see medical advice. While your symptoms may not be a cause for concern, proper assessment can help with your peace of mind.
Our gastroenterology team are experts in this field, providing comprehensive investigation into your symptoms to find out what is causing them and what the best treatment would be for you.
Due to the size and complexity of the digestive system, many conditions will often have overlapping symptoms. Our consultant gastroenterologists will use their expertise in the field to help narrow down the causes.
Some of the common conditions that affect the healthy functioning of the digestive system include:
Many of these conditions are more easily treated when they’re found at the earliest possible stage.
At Shirley Oaks Hospital, we can offer you rapid access to comprehensive investigation from an expert. Getting an earlier assessment and diagnosis will mean you will be able to see the benefits of any treatment sooner.
When you first meet with one of our consultants, they ask you about your medical history and any symptoms.
They may ask you questions during your appointment such as:
A physical examination may also be carried out during the consultation. This is so your consultant can investigate for any physical signs of concern, such as an unusual lumps and bumps.
It may be that a diagnosis can be made at this stage, or that your symptoms are nothing to be concerned about. For other symptoms, you may be referred for further tests to investigate specific parts of functions of your digestive system.
Depending on your symptoms, you may need to have an endoscopy, a gastroscopy, a colonoscopy or an endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP).
One of the most helpful tools when investigating problems within of the digestive system is an endoscopy. An endoscope is a thin, flexible tube with a camera and light at one end. The camera transmits a real time image to a video screen.
A gastroscopy is a type of endoscopy that investigates symptoms in the upper part of the GI tract. The endoscope is introduced into the body through the mouth and then moved down the oesophagus (food pipe), to the stomach and then into the first part of the small intestine.
A colonoscopy is a type of endoscopy that investigates symptoms in the lower part of the GI tract. The endoscope is inserted into the rectum and then moved along the large intestine and into the lower part of the small intestine.
An ERCP is used to investigate symptoms that point to a problem in the liver, pancreas, gall bladder or bile ducts. The endoscope is inserted through the mouth and moved into the stomach. A special dye is then injected which shows up on X-rays. Certain conditions can also be treated during an ERCP. For example, if a bile duct is found to be narrowed or blocked, a stent may be inserted to open it up again. If gallstones are discovered in the bile duct, these can often be removed.
During any of these endoscopic investigations, your consultant will look for any abnormalities or areas of possible concern, such as small lumps or any narrowing in the GI tract. If needed, a biopsy (small sample of tissue) may be taken and sent away for further analysis.
While not painful, these investigations can be uncomfortable, so you will normally be offered sedation or gas & air (nitrous oxide) to help make things more comfortable for you.
Additional tests, including blood tests, liver function tests, MRI scan, CT scan and ultrasound, are all available on-site at Shirley Oaks, so are easily arranged if needed.
Once any investigations have been carried out, your consultant will discuss suitable treatment options with you so that you can make an informed choice about treatment. If you have any questions or concerns at any stage, they will be very happy to talk these through with you.
If you need to be referred to another specialist (for example, if bowel cancer is discovered you will be referred to the oncology team) this will be done without delay.
Most people seen at Shirley Oaks Hospital have been referred to us - either from their GP, another healthcare professional, or their private medical insurance provider. Many people also find us through recommendation from family and friends. We see patients with private medical insurance and those using one of our self-pay options.
Many of our patients live in Croydon and the surrounding areas of Surrey, but good road and public transport links make it very easy to visit us from further afield as well.
When you visit Shirley Oaks Hospital, you will benefit from:
GI symptoms can often be quite concerning to experience and the last thing you’ll want is to have to wait weeks (or even months!) to be seen by somebody. We can easily and quickly arrange an appointment for you with an experienced gastroenterologist, so that you can get clarity about what is causing your symptoms sooner.
The sheer complexity of the digestive system requires careful tailoring of investigations and treatments to ensure you receive the support that is best for you. Your consultant will oversee every aspect of your care, and you will always see the same consultant when you visit.
With gastroenterology appointments available throughout the week, it is simple to book an appointment for a time that is convenient for you. While consultations are normally carried out in person here at Shirley Oaks Hospital, we can provide remote consultations by telephone or video call when required (and where clinically appropriate).
When needed, your consultant has quick and easy access to specialists in other areas such as surgery, radiology, anaesthetics, nursing, and oncology. This multidisciplinary team approach means that you will always see the most appropriate specialist for your condition.
To book your initial consultation with one of our gastroenterologists near you, use our online booking system, or give us a call and one of our dedicated advisors will help you find an appointment time that suits you.
Reception: 020 8655 5500
Mon-Fri: 8:30am-8pm
Sat: 8:30am-1:30pm
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