Gastroenterology in Bury St Edmunds

The area of medicine which focuses on the digestive system and is related disorders, gastroenterology looks at conditions affecting the gastrointestinal tract. This includes the organs from the mouth to the anus, along the alimentary canal.

St Edmunds Hospital is located on the beautiful St. Mary's Square, just across from the Greene King Brewery in Bury St Edmunds. People visit us from Newmarket, Diss, Sudbury, Thetford, Woolpit and Mildenhall. We also see patients from Hadleigh, Stowmarket, Ely and Haverhill. If you’re living in one of these areas and looking for a private hospital near you, our team is ready and waiting to help you.

Here at The St Edmunds Hospital, our Luminal Gastroenterologist regularly sees patients with conditions including:

• Dyspepsia – also known as indigestion, dyspepsia refers to pain or discomfort that occurs in the upper abdomen. Patients often feel either of these after eating or drinking – and dyspepsia isn’t a disease but a symptom. People may also experience bloating, nausea, and gas as a result of dyspepsia.
• Stomach ulcers – also known as gastric ulcers, stomach ulcers are open sores which develop on the stomach’s lining. While they aren’t always painful, they can be frustrating – and can leave people with discomfort, from symptoms including heartburn, indigestion and nausea.
• Coeliac disease – in those with Coeliac disease, the immune system attacks the tissues when gluten is eaten. This stops the body from taking in nutrients; symptoms of the condition include diarrhoea, stomach ache, bloating, flatulence, constipation, and indigestion.
• Chrohn’s disease – a chronic (long-term) condition where the gut become inflamed, Chrohn’s disease symptoms include stomach aches and cramps, diarrhoea, and blood in the patient’s poo.
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) – affecting the digestive system, this common condition sees patients suffer from stomach cramps, diarrhoea and constipation, with symptoms often coming and going over time.

Liver services are also offered, via our Consultant Physician, Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist,

Consultations are offered, within this subspeciality, for the following:

• Gallbladder removal surgery (also known as laparoscopic cholecystectomy)
• Hernia repair (TAPP) laparoscopic
• Hernia repair (TEO) laparoscopic
• Hernia repair inguinal open
• Hernia repair paraumbilical and umbilical
• Pre-admission clinic.

Patients will visit our Consultant at The St Edmunds for a standard, half-an hour new patient consultation. During the consultation, you will be asked questions related to the symptoms arising from gastrointestinal tract.

These symptoms may include:

• a change in bowel habits
• abdominal pain
• weight loss
• bleeding from the back passage.

If needed, you may be referred for an endoscopic procedure, such as a colonoscopy or gastroscopy.

Colonoscopy

This is a day case procedure, during which your large bowel will be examined with a small camera, passed through the anus on a flexible tube. It is a well-tolerated procedure, and it can help our Consultant arrive at a suitable diagnosis for you.

Gastroscopy

During a gastroscopy, a thin, flexible tune is used to look inside the oesophagus (gullet). It also looks at the stomach and the first part of the small intestine (known as the duodenum).

Again, a gastroscopy can help our Consultant arrive at the right diagnosis for you.

There are several reasons why you might choose The St Edmunds for your initial consultation.

The team work together closely, with inter-referrals to the most appropriate place to help you get the care you need. Every specialist working at Circle Health Group is an NHS- practising consultant, too, and the services they provide undergo a rigorous process of appraisal and recommendation.

Infection control at The St Edmunds is great as well, with our Consultant currently using disposable, single-use endoscopes in his practice.

With 26 beds, with all rooms offering the privacy and comfort of en-suite facilities, views of the gardens, TV and high speed Wi-Fi, the hospital has a state-of-the-art imaging department. There are three main theatres, one of which has been installed with lamina flow (clean air filter system). Our third theatre is used for endoscopy and day case procedures, such as colonoscopy (as detailed above).

We also have a dedicated day case recovery area in our comfortable conservatory, where you can relax after your day case procedure until you are discharged from our care.

Room service is provided to all inpatients by our dedicated, on-site catering team. Our chef creates daily special menus, to ensure that patients have a variety of meals. All dietary needs can be catered for too.

Ample car parking is available around the grounds, too, with a drop-off bay and disabled spaces directly opposite the entrance to the main hospital entrance for your convenience.

At a glance, here are some reasons why you might choose The St Edmunds for your consultation:

• Reduced waiting times – Patients who visit The St Edmunds Hospital can, of course, benefit from shorter waiting times than they would if, say, they were to pursue treatment on the NHS.
• Flexible appointments at a time to suit you – You can choose an appointment time to suit you and your schedule. In some cases, remote consultations will be offered.
• Consultant-led appointments – Your appointment at The St Edmunds will always be consultant-led.
• You’ll see the same person each time you visit - From your consultation, right through to any treatment needed, you will meet with the same person here in our clinic.
• Patient satisfaction and personalised care – In an independent survey* in 2020, 99% of our patients said they would recommend The St Edmunds Hospital, and the hospital has a CQC overall rating of ‘Good’. *Results compiled by Quality Health.         

The St Edmunds Hospital covers a wide catchment area, with patients visiting from Cambridge, Ipswich, Essex, including Colchester, Norfolk, and a host of other towns and cities in the region.

If you are looking for gastroenterological treatment in Suffolk itself, The St Edmunds is a great choice too.

Want to book a consultation with Consultant at The St Edmunds Hospital? You can get in touch with our team by calling 01284 844636.

You can also use our handy online booking system to make your appointment.