Gastroenterology in Harrow

They can quickly and effectively assess all the possible reasons for digestive problems, including:

• How food is ingested and moves through the stomach and intestine
• How nutrients are being digested and absorbed
• How waste is removed (including liver function)

Our consultants will also look at possible psychological triggers that could be affecting your gut health (stress and anxiety, for example, can have a big impact on the gastrointestinal tract, which has more nerve endings in it than the brain).

Patients come to us with a wide range of symptoms, which often include:

• Abdominal pain
• Changes in bowel habits
• Reflux
• Heartburn
• Diarrhoea
• Constipation
• Rectal bleeding
• Abnormal liver tests

There are many possible causes for this, but some of the most common are:

• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
• Bacterial overgrowth
• Haemorrhoids (piles)
• Celiac disease
• Colitis
• Gall stones

Whatever your circumstances, we offer a highly personalised service where both your diagnosis and treatment will be carried out at a time and in a way that best suits you.

Our goal is to make private healthcare accessible and affordable for all, and we have very competitively priced self-pay packages, along with payment plan options if you are coming to us direct (rather than via GP or insurance referral).

This combination of skills and facilities ensures you receive the treatment that is most appropriate in your circumstances.

The vast majority of symptoms can be treated with straightforward and convenient treatments.

The nature of these treatments can vary widely, however, programs may include:

• Lifestyle: e.g. diet and exercise
• Natural remedies: e.g. probiotic and dietary supplements
• Medical: e.g. tablets
• Endoscopic: this is usually a diagnostic tool, but can also be used, for example, to remove polyps and reduce future cancer risks
• Surgical: if surgery is needed (and it rarely is), your gastroenterologist will refer you to one of our colorectal surgeons (e.g. in the case of gall stones or bowel surgery)

Whatever the treatment plan you agree, you can be assured of a solution that is seamless and tailor-made for your circumstances.

We aim, in most cases, to go from referral to the start of treatment within two weeks.

Everything you will need will be available on-site, for your convenience, and you are assured of seeing the same consultant throughout your treatment.

From the first moment you come to us to the moment you are discharged, we aim to make the process as speedy, convenient and reassuring as possible for you.

Referral

Your journey will start with a referral.

We accept referrals from GPs or health insurance providers, as well as from private patients who book a consultation directly. Often neurology patients are also referred from other specialists.

We aim to arrange a private consultation for you within as little as 48 hours from referral or first contact, at a time that is convenient for you.

Consultation

During your initial consultation, which will last around half-an-hour, your consultant will talk with you about your specific circumstances and needs.

We have a chaperone service available, should you want it.

Having taken a comprehensive medical, family, and social history, and conducted a physical examination, your consultant may well request a test, such as a mammography or ultrasound.

Often these tests allow our specialists to reassure their patient that there is nothing to worry about.

If these investigations throw up further questions, then a consultant might request an MRI or CT scan, or tissue biopsy.

If such investigations are needed and a diagnosis cannot be made straight away, we will organise a follow-up appointment in around a week, at a time that is convenient for you.

Once they have made their diagnosis, your specialist will go through your results in plain English, so you are able to make an informed decision on treatment.

Treatment and after-care

As detailed above, there is a range of possible treatment paths that your consultant might suggest.

Medical treatments can be obtained at our on-site pharmacy.

If you need surgery during your treatment, this can normally be arranged in around two weeks and will take place in one of our state-of-the-art operating theatres.

Many procedures are day cases (so you will be in and out of the hospital the same day), while others may require an overnight stay.

Dependent on the nature of your treatment program, your consultant will likely see you for a follow-up, or follow-ups, to monitor your progress.

Quality:

• We treat all patients with the highest levels of dignity, kindness, compassion and respect
• Your consultant will be a specialist and leader in their field, ensuring you get the most accurate diagnosis and most appropriate treatment plan, using state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment.
• Our consultants also have particular ‘special interests’, which means you can pick one that has particular expertise in the condition/ symptoms that you experience.
• Most of our specialists are working NHS consultants, who have gone through the same (and often more) rigorous assessments and training as you will find in the NHS, including teaching at top teaching hospitals
• Our specialists are regularly assessed to ensure they are up-to-date with all the latest developments in their fields. These assessments also ensure that consultants are continuing to perform successful procedures and have provided excellent patient care
• We host a number of ‘special units’. These are groups of consultants who work together collaboratively in our hospital, meeting regularly to discuss complex cases and agree the most appropriate treatment pathway for you.
• Across the board our staff - from reception staff, to nurses and theatre staff - are highly trained in their specific roles, truly care about patients, and pride themselves on being friendly and welcoming
• We hold an independent Care Quality Commission (CQC) ‘Good’ rating, meaning we are safe, effective, caring, responsive to people’s needs and well-led
• We remain a green Covid site, which means 0% Covid cross-contamination (March 2020-March 2021) thanks to our IPC (infection prevention control) measures that are constantly being revised and adapted.
• Our hospital is state-of-the-art. On site are:
  • 121 beds with all rooms offering the privacy and comfort of en-suite facilities, including TV and Wi-Fi
  • A five bedded Level 3 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) which means that our surgeons can perform complex surgical procedures
  • Five state-of-the-art operating theatres
  • Neuro navigation equipment
  • State-of-the-art Orthopaedic robotic equipment
  • Three operating theatres (two with laminar flow for specialist orthopaedics)
  • A JAG-accredited Endoscopy suite
  • A physiotherapy department with a fully equipped rehabilitation gym and hydrotherapy pool
  • A full range of imaging & diagnostics, including AI assisted CT, MRI, digital mammography, ultrasound & x-ray
  • Private GP services

Speed and convenience:

• You can choose the consultant who is the best fit for you, whether that’s for reasons of culture, gender, religion, language, or just personality.
• You will be seen at a time that suits you, even if that’s early morning, in the evening, or at the weekend. You can book a consultation with just 5-clicks via our website.
• Our multi-disciplinary approach means you can see your consultant, have diagnostics, surgery/treatment and rehabilitation in one hospital; a clean and familiar environment with friendly faces
• We are located in Harrow, Northwest London, with easy access to the City of London. Our location, with multiple transport options, means we are very easy to get to, and we have plenty of on-site parking.