Patients can book an initial appointment through the enquiries team at Ross Hall Hospital, who will offer you an appointment at a time that suits you. They will also provide all the information you need to prepare yourself for your initial consultation with a Gastroenterologist.
You can opt to pay for your own treatment as a self-pay patient, and our team will provide you with the consultation fee of the consultant you're booking with. If you're using your medical insurance to pay for your care, it is important that you obtain an authorisation code from them before you come for your appointment.
Your initial consultation will typically last around 20-30minutes, during which the gastroenterologist will learn about and evaluate your symptoms and medical history to get a precise picture of the situation, your concerns and to determine the appropriate course of action.
Your gastroenterologist may carry out some examinations and tests to assess your possible condition further depending on your specific symptoms or condition.
In some cases, we might be able to arrange the test on the same day as your first consultation, but usually, we would arrange it for a few days after your appointment at a time and day that suits you. If you need a diagnostic endoscopy procedure, this may be booked up to two weeks from your appointment.
These are some common tests that your gastroenterologist may recommend:
- MRI scan - This uses a magnetic field to create a detailed image of the inside of your body, invaluable in the diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal conditions.
- CT scan - Often referred to as CAT Scans, X-rays are used to produce detailed images of your internal structures.
- Endoscopy/colonoscopy - Involves inserting a long, thin tube into the body via the mouth or anus to observe internal systems in great detail.
- Ultrasound - Uses sound waves to produce a detailed image of the inside of the body.
- pH study - This may be necessary to measure the acid levels in your gullet tube.
On completion of the tests or scans, a follow-up appointment will be organised to go over the results of your test with your consultant and to discuss treatment going forward.
If further testing, surgery, or referral to another specialist within the hospital is required, we'll make sure you fully understand the process and answer any and all questions you may have, and arrange the next stages of your treatment for you.