The Alexandra Hospital
Mill Lane, Cheadle, Cheshire, SK8 2PX DirectionsPhone
Opening hours
Mon - Sun: 24-hours
Due to COVID restrictions no visitors are currently allowed
Car parking
Yes - 440 spaces
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Fast assessment and treatment for digestive system concerns.
The digestive system is amazingly complex, made up of a great number of parts, processes and functions. Each of these play a vital role in helping break down food into smaller parts to be absorbed into the body. The digestive system is also responsible for removing the waste products of food by expelling them as faeces.
If something causes a problem anywhere within your digestive system – whether disease, damage or dysfunction – it can have a significant impact on your health and may cause concerning symptoms such as abdominal pain, heartburn or rectal bleeding.
The Consultant Gastroenterologists at The Alexandra Hospital in Manchester provide expert assessment, diagnosis and treatment for a very wide variety of digestive conditions and symptoms. They would be delighted to support you in finding the best treatment for you.
Some of the symptoms that may indicate a problem within the digestive system are:
Because of the complexity of the digestive system, many of the conditions that affect it can have overlapping symptoms. Common conditions include:
Many of these conditions are best treated when discovered at the earliest possible stage, making rapid assessment and diagnosis important.
At The Alexandra Hospital, we can arrange comprehensive investigation and treatment for you quickly, supporting the success of your treatment.
A physical examination may also be carried out.
Many other conditions will require additional investigation to make a diagnosis. This will often happen through an endoscopy. An endoscope is a thin, flexible tube with a camera and light at one end. The camera transmits a live feed to an external video screen, so that your Consultant can investigate the inside of your stomach.
Depending on your symptoms, you may be referred to have a gastroscopy, a colonoscopy or an endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). If you require any of these, the procedure will quickly be arranged for you at The Alexandra Hospital.
A gastroscopy: performed to examine the first part of your GI tract. The endoscope is introduced into your body through your mouth and down your throat, then into your oesophagus, stomach and duodenum (the first part of your small intestine).
A colonoscopy: this examines the lower part of the GI tract. In this instance, the endoscope is inserted into your rectum and slowly moved through your large intestine and along into your small intestine.
Both investigations allow your Consultant to carefully examine the relevant part of your GI tract. They will look for any abnormalities, such as swelling, bumps, lumps or narrowings, or any other areas of possible concern.
An ERCP is a way of examining your bile ducts, gall bladder and pancreas. It is mainly used to treat conditions that are causing blockages within the bile ducts. This is commonly caused by a gallstone, which can often be removed through a small incision made at the lower end of your duct. Occasionally, the problem may be caused by a tumour. In this case, a thin tube (stent) can be placed within your duct to relieve the obstruction and keep the duct open.
A biopsy can be taken for further analysis if required. This involves carefully removing a small sample of your tissue and sending it for analysis under a microscope.
Endoscopic procedures can be uncomfortable. In preparation for a gastroscopy, a spray is used to reduce coughing and gagging. Many patients also choose to have a sedative injection. For a colonoscopy, an injection of a sedative and pain-killing medication will often be administered, but others may prefer to have “gas and air” (nitrous oxide) instead. Your Gastroenterologist will explain these options prior to the procedure so that you can choose the right one for you.
A comprehensive range of additional tests, including blood tests, liver function tests, MRI scans, CT scans and ultrasounds, are all readily available at The Alexandra Hospital. They can be quickly and easily arranged for you if needed.
We treat private medical insurance and self-pay patients.
While many of our patients live in Manchester, a good number take advantage of our location and excellent road access by visiting from further afield.
When you choose to visit a Consultant Gastroenterologist at The Alexandra Hospital in Manchester, you will benefit from:
For expert care, please contact us to book your Gastroenterology appointment by calling us directly on +44 1413 005 009 or booking an appointment with us online.
We look forward to welcoming you to The Alexandra Hospital soon.
Consultant Gastroenterologist
MB ChB, MRCP(UK), MD(Edin)
The Alexandra Hospital
Consultant Gastroenterologist
MB;ChB, FRCP (Glas.), Diplomate American Boards of Internal Medicine
The Alexandra Hospital
Professor of Medicine & Gastroenterology
BSc, MB, BS, FRCP, MRCS, MD, PhD.
The Alexandra Hospital
Gastroenterologist
BSc (Hons), MB MS, MRCP, MD, FRCP
The Alexandra Hospital
Consultant Gastroenterologist
MBBS MD FRCP
The Alexandra Hospital
Consultant Gastroenterologist
BSc (Hons), MBChB (Hons), PhD, FRCP (Lon)
The Alexandra Hospital