Endoscopy

Endoscopy provides a diagnostic and therapeutic service catering for both Upper and Lower Gastrointestinal investigations.

We carry out investigations of the upper and lower gastrointestinal tract and of the lungs.

About our service

Our service is used by both inpatients and outpatients. We provide a 24 hour service to ensure timely treatment of all patients.

We are here to quickly and safely investigate your symptoms, providing high level of expertise in both diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy.

Endoscopy means procedures which are carried out using a thin camera to look at your gastrointestinal tract. This includes looking into your stomach, bowel, lungs, and pancreatic bile ducts. Procedures can be diagnostic and/or therapeutic. This may include biopsies (small grabs) of tissue being taken and sent to the laboratory, polyps or other tissue being removed, stents being inserted, or stones being removed.

Expertise

Endoscopy procedures are carried out by a range of clinicians. These can include surgical consultants, gastroenterologist consultants, nurse endoscopists and specialist doctors. Different clinicians have different expertise. Who carries out a procedure depends on patient requirements and the therapy involved.

We are a JAG (Joint Advisory Group for GI Endoscopy) Accredited unit, an official national recommendation which recognise we meet high standards in quality, safety and patient experience.

How to use the service

• Your GP can refer you to our service if you are registered with a Stockport GP.
• Other consultants may also refer you while undergoing other investigations/treatments as part of a broader plan to rule out other areas that may be contributing to symptoms.
• If you are an inpatient at Stepping Hill Hospital, your team may refer you into the endoscopy service as either an inpatient or outpatient. Our aim is to accommodate you while you are already in the hospital. However, appointments are prioritised on an urgency basis, so it may be that you are discharged and return as an outpatient.
• You may also access the endoscopy service through national and local schemes such as the bowel cancer screening/FIT test.