Colorectal Surgery Darlington

Our consultants have a wide array of expertise in treating colorectal conditions. Many patients won’t require surgery in order to recover. Certain changes to lifestyle may be advised, ensuring you have a balanced diet and exercise regime. Reducing stress can sometimes help alleviate symptoms too.

Conditions affecting the lower gastrointestinal tract include:

• Polyps (raised fleshy areas of the bowel)
• Haemorrhoids/piles
• Bowel cancer
• IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome)
• Crohn’s disease (a chronic condition of the bowel)
• Fissures (a skin tear of the anus)
• Fistula (a small channel that develops in the anal canal)
• Diverticulitis (inflammation of pockets inside of the colon)

Inflammatory bowel conditions such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease are often managed with medication, which can be prescribed by your consultant and picked up at our dedicated on-site pharmacy. Serious cases may need surgery to remove part of the affected bowel, but this is usually a last resort.

Fissures and fistulas are small and painful conditions of the anus, often requiring surgery. Although, fissures can sometimes recover with ointments and medication. Depending on the severity of the condition, some can be rectified during diagnostic procedures, such as polyps during a colonoscopy.

Your consultant will take a detailed medical history and will ask about the various symptoms you have been experiencing in order to establish the best way forward. They will most likely want to know:

• What symptoms have you been experiencing?
• How long have you had these symptoms?
• Can you describe the pain? Is it a stabbing pain or is it more constant?
• Have your symptoms become progressively worse?

They will also perform a physical examination, looking at any physical symptoms you have described. Then, they will outline any necessary scans or tests that may be useful in making a diagnosis.

Typically, your consultant will want to investigate the bowel if you have been experiencing rectal bleeding or a change in bowel habits. This is done as an endoscopic procedure, where a thin, flexible tube with a light and camera attached to one end is passed into the body to allow your consultant to visualise and assess the affected organs. Two types of endoscopic tests are normally used in diagnosis:

• Colonoscopy
• Flexible sigmoidoscopy 

A colonoscopy enables your consultant to visualise the whole of the bowel, and the endoscope is introduced via the anus. This is normally done under a mild sedation, so patients will need someone to bring them and take them home again afterwards. Bowel preparation is required beforehand, usually in the form of a strong laxative the day before your procedure, and this can be discussed at your initial consultation.

A flexible sigmoidoscopy is a more straightforward procedure which looks at the left side of the bowel. It is specifically used for patients who have been experiencing rectal bleeding. Patients can normally get themselves here and back on their own without concern. Again, the endoscope is passed through the anus to allow your consultant to see the lower part of your bowel. This is especially effective in looking at haemorrhoids/piles, and can often be treated at the same time by applying some rubber bands to the piles so they shrivel up and fall off.

As well as locating the source of your symptoms, these procedures help to rule out other more serious concerns, such as bowel cancer.

Your consultant will see you again after the procedure to talk about the diagnosis if it is clear, or make plans for further diagnostic tests and next steps if not. In the case of something simple like piles, your consultant will discuss a definitive procedure with you to sort them out.

Ultrasound and MRI scans are available from our on-site imaging department, should they be needed. Patients suffering from fistulas sometimes require an MRI, and our imaging team can work in tandem with our colorectal consultants to make an accurate diagnosis.

Whatever your condition, your consultant will produce an informed treatment plan, personalised for your needs.

• Assessments ASAP – If you’ve got to the point where you are considering medical intervention for your bowel condition, you won’t want to wait for an appointment. By seeing patients rapidly, our consultants can accurately diagnose you and get you started on the right course of treatment as soon as possible.
• Patient satisfaction – 98.1% of patients in 2024 said they would be likely or extremely likely to recommend their consultant to their friends or family. 96% also said that their overall experience of the nursing care was 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.
• Personalised care – We believe in a bespoke approach to treatment, tailoring each experience to our patients’ needs and whatever may be best for you. This is regularly reviewed, ensuring you get the necessary treatment at every stage of your patient journey.
• A multi-disciplinary approach – Our teams at Woodlands work in tandem with each other to provide you with the best possible care from start to finish. Working closely with specialists in rheumatology, gynaecology and urology, as well as a dedicated team of radiographers, physiotherapists, anaesthetists, and nurses, you have support from medical professionals every step of the way during your treatment.
• Convenient appointments – With appointments available throughout the day from Monday-Friday, you are sure to find an appointment slot that suits your needs and availability.
• Park with ease – We know that parking should be the least of your worries when attending hospital, so our car park has ample space to accommodate your needs. This also includes 4 electric vehicle charging points. Alternatively, we are very close to Darlington Railway Station, should you wish to visit us by train. We are also a short walk from multiple bus stops, including Morton Park Way (Morrisons) and Yarm Road. 

If you have a pre-existing bowel condition that needs managing, like Crohn’s disease, or you’ve experienced symptoms such as abdominal pains and a change in bowel habits, call our friendly team today 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 Woodlands to book an appointment now.

Accessing private healthcare with us is easy, whether you choose to pay directly or use private medical insurance.

If you are paying for yourself, we can usually offer an upfront cost which you can then choose to pay in full or access one of our easy payment options.

If you have insurance, we can arrange direct settlement with your insurance provider, although you should check in advance to see if your treatment is covered. There are usually only three steps to accessing private treatment using insurance:

• Speak to your GP: Let your GP know that you have private medical insurance during your appointment with them. Ask them to refer you to Woodlands Hospital, and in you have already chosen which consultant you would like to see, let your GP know their name so they can give you a specific referral letter. The letter should include the hospital and consultant name, as well as the recommended treatment. Your GP can also give you a referral letter with no specified consultant.
• Speak to us: Once you have your referral letter from your GP, give our friendly Patient Liaison Officers a call on 01325 341786. If your GP gets in touch with us directly with your referral, we will be in touch with you.
• Speak to your insurer: After speaking to your GP, ensure that you call your insurer and activate your insurance. Have your insurance details to hand when you call, as they will need it to confirm that the treatment you need is covered by our policy. If the treatment is not covered but you would still like to go private, you can explore alternative methods.

For more information, visit our private medical insurance page.

Woodlands Hospital first opened in Darlington in 2001, and we have been treating patients from Darlington and the wider area ever since.

We are located on Morton Park Way, opposite Dunelm and Premier Inn and over the road from Morrisons. Darlington Train Station is approximately 3.5 miles away and there is a taxi rank at the station with cabs available throughout the day. We are also a short walk from numerous bus routes, with stops at Morrisons and on Yarm Road. We are a short distance from local attractions such as Hopetown, the brick train sculpture and the Hippodrome.

We have free parking available on-site, with 4 electric vehicle charging points. The hospital has an accessible entrance, however please do let a member of the team know if you require a wheelchair and one of our friendly porters can assist you into the building.

Each of our rooms feature an en-suite for added comfort and privacy. The rooms are spacious with a remote controlled TV and free Wi-Fi available during your stay. Our catering team are on-hand to serve breakfast, lunch and dinner at regular mealtimes. We offer a range of choices available, please do let us know of any special dietary requirements you have prior to your admission.

As well as offering surgery, we have a number of fantastic facilities on-site at Woodlands.

Our physiotherapy department consists of many experienced senior physiotherapists with a range of clinical interests including hand, women's health and men's health. We also have a fully equipped gymnasium, including an anti-gravity treadmill, exercise bike and numerous weights. The team will work closely with you to reach your goals, and you can self refer to book an appointment. If you're interested, please give the team a call on 01325 341712 and choose option 2.

We also have imaging facilities on-site, including a wide-bore MRI scanner, x-ray, ultrasound, fluoroscopy and access to a CT scanner. Please note: appointments for any imaging service at Woodlands Hospital can only be made once the department receives a referral from a GMC-registered consultant. For more information, please give our friendly enquiry team a call on 01325 968 195.