General surgery in Northampton

At Three Shires Hospital, we offer patients fast and convenient access to a number of Consultant General Surgeons who have an extensive set of skills and knowledge, allowing them to carry out various elective procedures to help relieve pain and discomfort from a broad range of conditions.

Our expert team at Three Shires Hospital in Northampton see patients from Guilsborough, Wooton, Duston, Brackley, Towcester and Wellingborough. People also visit us from Brixworth, Grange Park, Long Buckby and Moulton. If you’re looking for a private hospital near you, our team is ready and waiting. We welcome people who live or work locally as well as those who want to travel from further afield to benefit from our talented consultants and compassionate care teams.

Whether you live in Northampton or further afield - our generals surgeons will be able to help diagnose, treat or manage your symptoms to improve your quality of life. We offer fast, direct and convenient appointments, where the consultant can decide the best route for you and develop a treatment package tailored to you.

Conditions we treat and manage include:

• Gallstones: Gallstones are stones that form in the gallbladder. They’re usually made of cholesterol and calcium and they vary from small to large in size.
• Hernias: A hernia occurs when your internal organs or fatty tissue pushes through a weakened muscle wall or connective tissue.
• Crohn's disease: Crohn’s disease can cause painful and debilitating symptoms that slowly erode the quality of life of those people that live with it. While there’s not currently a cure for Crohn’s disease, early diagnosis and prompt treatment can make it much easier to live with the condition.
• Colitis/Ulcerative colitis: Ulcerative colitis is the more common type of the two Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD). The other is Crohn’s disease. Unlike Crohn's disease which can affect the whole of the gut, ulcerative colitis can only affect the colon or large intestine.
• Diverticulitis: Diverticular disease can cause pain in the lower left side of the abdomen. The openings of the diverticulae are small and so can become blocked, leading to infection and inflammation.
• Haemorrhoids: Piles, also known as haemorrhoids, are a condition in which the normal veins or blood vessels in and around the back passage (anus) become swollen. Sometimes they also pop out of place.
• Prolapse: When the vagina or its supporting tissues become stretched or weakened, these organs can slip out of place. This is known as a prolapse.
• Fissures: A fissure is a tear in the skin around the back passage. It is a common problem that causes severe pain, especially after a bowel movement. It may also cause bleeding.
• Rectal bleeding
• Bowel cancer and colon polyps: Bleeding from your bottom, blood in your poo, loose bowel movements over a long period of time, unexplained weight loss, tiredness and pains or lumps in your tummy are all possible symptoms of bowel cancer.

If you are experiencing any abdominal pain or discomfort, book your initial appointment today!

During your appointment, your consultant will access your condition and examine it to understand more about your symptoms and get a clear understanding of the situation, and your concerns and determine the appropriate diagnosis/next steps in your treatment.

Your consultant will also discuss and ask you about your medical history, and any previous/ existing conditions relating to your family history. This will allow your consultant to access the situation and progress onto the most appropriate diagnostic tests.

You may be referred for extra tests such as blood tests and scans, depending on if your consultant feels diagnostic tests are necessary for your diagnosis. 

Your consultant may refer you to the following:

• Ultrasound scans: provide a detailed image of inside your abdomen, allowing the consultant to accurately diagnose your condition and access if you need surgery or not.
• MRI Scans: An MRI scan can be used to diagnose a wide variety of conditions and injuries. It can help your consultant decide what treatment is right for you, and see how well that treatment is working. 
• CT Scans: A CT Scan is similar to an MRI, but provides accurate, detailed images of the inside of your body.

A follow-up appointment will be booked a few weeks after your initial consultation to discuss the results with your consultant, who will then decide what treatment is best for you - this could either be surgery or medication.

By choosing Three Shires, you'll benefit from:

• Choosing a date and time that suits you - our appointments are tailored to suit your lifestyle and we offer appointments outside the normal working hours
• You'll often find an appointment within 48 hours.
• We have shorter waiting times for appointments
• You'll have access to a wide range of treatments and diagnostic services
• You'll get to pick the consultant of your choice!
• We offer a calm and peaceful environment to ensure your comfort and recovery, with nutritious meals tailored to your dietary requirements
• You'll be cared by the same friendly faces, from start to finish

You can make an appointment directly with Three Shires Hospital by calling 01604 620311 or if you prefer, you can ask your GP to refer you (this is necessary if you have private medical insurance).

Should you wish to use your private medical insurance, please ensure that your private healthcare provider is able to cover the treatment that you would like to have before you embark upon a treatment plan.

To make an appointment or find out more information about our general surgery services please call 01604 620311, or you can book an appointment online with the consultant of your choosing. 

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 page.