The Harbour Hospital boasts a dedicated private Endoscopy Suite, with recovery bays, a fully-equipped procedure room and your own private room, for patients based in Poole, Bournemouth, Dorset and the surrounding areas.
Private Endoscopy in Poole
We provide diagnostic procedures for a variety of Gastroenterology conditions, including; colonoscopy, flexible sigmoidoscopy, oesophago-gastro-duodenoscopy (OGD), banding of haemorrhoids and a combined procedure of colonoscopy and gastroscopy.
We provide a calm and welcoming atmosphere, with patient privacy and dignity at the forefront of our patient care and the department’s service.
Patients are treated by a network of specialist consultants and this is complemented by our experienced nursing team who are specialists in all aspects of medical and surgical nursing.
Together, we take pride in offering exceptional levels of patient care.
Why might you need a private endoscopy at The Harbour Hospital in Poole?
An endoscopy might be suggested if you’re experiencing any of the following symptoms:
- Difficulty swallowing
- Abdominal pain
- Persistent nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea
- Unexplained weight loss
- Vomiting blood
- Blood in stools
- Chest pain that’s unrelated to heart conditions
Private Endoscopy Treatments at the Harbour Hospital in Poole
We offer and perform several different types of endoscopy procedures, though the type of endoscopy you have will depend on the symptoms you’re experiencing.
- Gastroscopy – this is used to examine the oesophagus, stomach or first part of the small intestine
- Colonoscopy – this is used to examine the bowel
- Flexible Sigmoidoscopy – this is used to examine the left side of the bowel
We also offer the following:
- Banding of Haemorrhoids Information
- Colonoscopy Information
- Upper GI Endoscopy & Colonoscopy
- Upper GI Endoscopy & Dilation Information
- Upper GI Endoscopy Information
Your Private Endoscopy Journey
How to prepare for an endoscopy
If you need an endoscopy, your consultant will give you instructions to make sure you’re fully prepared before the procedure takes place.
It’s always important to tell your consultant about any medication you’re taking. You may need to stop taking certain medication, such as blood-thinners. However, it’s important not to stop taking your prescription medication unless your consultant advises you to do so.
You should also make your consultant aware of any allergies you have, as well as your previous medical history.
Most endoscopies require the patient to stop eating food or drinking water four to eight hours before the procedure, so your stomach is empty. You may also be given laxatives to help clear your system.
What to expect
Depending on which part of your body needs to be looked at, an endoscope may be inserted through your mouth or back passage.
You may have a local anaesthetic to numb one part of your body or you might be offered a mild sedative or General anaesthetic to help you relax.
Is an endoscopy painful? An endoscopy isn’t painful, but most people experience a little bit of discomfort similar to a sore throat or indigestion.
What happens after an endoscopy?
After an endoscopy, you will need to rest for about an hour to let the effect of any anaesthetic or sedative wear off. Once this has worn off, you should be able to go home. You don’t need to stay overnight for this procedure.
After an anaesthetic or sedation, you will need to be taken home by a friend or relative – you shouldn’t drive for the rest of the day.
Your doctor will advise you on when you’ll find out the results from your procedure. If necessary, you may be referred to a different specialist for ongoing diagnosis or treatment.
Payment Options
Accessing private healthcare 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. For more information, visit our private medical insurance page.
